Chopping It Up With Champ's podcast

The 2020 NBA season finally concludes as it crowns the Los Angeles Lakers as the 2020 NBA Champions. A year that will go down in the history books as what some people say was the most difficult run to a NBA Championship yet. One like no other as we got use to the word " The Bubble ". A Laker franchise who needed something to smile and be happy about watched their Team win their 17th Title in  Orlando, FL.  A team led by Lebron James who captures his 4th ring with so many other storylines to digest is an episode you do not want to miss,

With the current buzz and chatter about black athletes choosing Historically Black Colleges and Universities ( HBCUs ) over Predominantly White Institutions ( PWI's ) Antonio and I decided to recap on our experiences. Choosing a college can be a difficult decision for any High School Student and if you ask me an even harder choice for High Athletes. A super dope and informative episode from two former college student athletes. An episode definitely worth listening to.

Kobe Bryant considered one of the greatest Lakers of all and the  greatest Laker by many left a legacy that will never be forgotten.  On part 2 of Remembering Kobe i caught up with my man BC who was and still is a die heart Lakers and Kobe Fan. Kobe's Bryant departure affected so many in many different ways throughout the world. Check in to hear BC explain what Kobe Bryant meant to him as we discuss all things Kobe.

Remembering Kobe Bryant! On January 26th 2020 the late Kobe Bryant passed away. As the news spread i was in disbelief as it seemed so unreal. As a competitor and fan of basketball i have had several debates, conversations and arguments about Kobe Bryant. Several with my guest Oscar Ball who is a huge Kobe Bryant fan. We sit down and discuss all things Kobe. The day of the accident, what Kobe meant to him and so much more. An episode you do not want to miss.

On this episode Jaquan who i call the big homie and i sit down and Chopp it up. We have always connected on the football field but repeatedly found ourselves discussing all other sports. With the NBA season kicking off we dive into the new look NBA where the league goes away from the trio superstars per team to now only two per team. We briefly discuss his road to coaching High School football his impact and how recruiting has changed with the social media outlets.  Dope episode of two former college football players reconnecting once again.  

On this episode i sit down with Darius Bradley and chopp it up about boxing. Darius and I discuss how and when he got stared boxing and who motivated him to box. A man with undeniable love for boxing talks about never letting his circumstances dictate his quest from being in the ring.  A boxer with high potential who's just getting started sees nothing but opportunity as he makes his way to the top of the ranks. Boxing With D-Brad!

Rookie Gardner Minshew faces rookie Kyle Allen for a chance to put their respected teams over 500. Two Teams  who had no intentions on playing their #2 Qb this early in the season look to win a 3rd straight. With both Quarterbacks winning their last two games i decided to break down what both teams needed to do in order to help their Rookie Quarterbacks win another. In case you were wondering who these guys are you definitely will know after Sunday because one of them will be on a three game winning Streak!  

On this episode i give you my Top Five Wide Receivers playing the game today.There are a lot of great receivers playing in the NFL right now but only five will make this list. Production,availability, stats and showing up when your team needs you must are just some attributes i used to create this list. Tune in and see who made the list and who did not make the cut for top five wide outs playing the game today.

On this episode i discuss all the off season moves, draft picks and how a new year has drastically changed the AFC North.  A division where Baltimore no longer has their Super Bowl QB, The Steelers loosing premier offensive talent, Cincinnati gets a a new head coach and the Cleveland Browns adding talent everywhere. Go with me as i delve into the new Look AFC North as all eyes will be looking as they battle for division title of the 2019 NFL season.

The conclusion of the 2018-2019 NBA regular season ended with two of the all time greatest players retiring in Dwayne Wade and Dirk Nowitzki. A total of 4 championships 2 final MVP's and 27 all star appearances between them both.  Magic Johnson former Los Angels Lakers  5X Champion and President steps down and resigns on the last game of the season. A shock wave that shook the entire NBA. Lastly i talk about the match- ups in the Eastern Conference playoffs and who i think will represent the east in the 2019 NBA Finals. 

On this episode i talk about the Men's NCAA National Tournament aka March Madness. One of the most exciting times of the year with some of the best basketball played happens in the tournament. I talk about brackets and how unimportant they are, what to look for when watching the games and why the more talented teams in the tournament do not always win. A super dope episode as the NCAA Tournament kicks off with March Madness.

On this episode I talk about three of the top five players in the National Basketball Association (NBA).  I lead off with the reasons why Lebron James may miss the playoffs for the first time since 2005. I also talk  about the MVP year that James Harden is having and the new beast in the EAST Giannis Antetokoumpo. A dope episode on the three amazing players as the 2nd half of the NBA regular season concludes.

On this Episode i talk about the new American football league the Alliance of American Football (AAF). A league made up of less than 10  teams all found in southern and western markets of the United Sates. I discuss some of the major differences between the NFL and the AAF and how one may enjoy playing and watching more with the slight changes it has to offer. Alliance of American Football new to the market with potential to grow. You heard it here first and episode you do not want to miss.  

 In 2017 this division took three teams to the playoffs. In a span of three years two teams had played in the Superbowl in the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons. A division where it literally comes down to division losses and wins where every game is important. Drew Brees and the Saints took the the title last year but also failed to reach the big dance. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to make their mark and make the playoffs since 2007 as well. A super talented division where the winner of this division may come down to the last game.    

On this episode i get into the NFC West. A division usually dominated by the Seattle Seahawks which now looks to be 2nd place to the Los Angeles Rams. I discuss a Los Angeles Rams team who had a complete turnaround with 1st year head coach Sean Mcvay and a scary 49ner team who finished strong towards the end of the season. Will the Arizona Cardinals get over the hump of finishing 500 and will Russel Wilson ever  make it back to the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. Tune in now all on this episode!

As I jump into the NFC I start off with the NFC North. A division where the Minnesota Vikings dominated and almost made it to the Super Bowl. A division where the Green Bay Packers who usually dominate fell short to injuries. A Detroit Lions team who underachieved and a rebuilding Chicago Bears team all failed to make the playoffs. With the new year upcoming all four teams in this division have something to prove. A division up for grabs. Tune in to find out who will win the NFC North.

On this episode Winston-Salem State University alum Brian Mclaughlin better known as "B-Daht" chopps' it up with Champ. B-Daht former PA announcer for WSSU athletics totaling 10 years explains how he first landed the position and where it ranks on his all time achievements. A man with many talents heavily rooted in sports sits down and gives the real as he chopps' it up with Champ. An Episode you do not want to miss!

In wrapping up the AFC I conclude with the AFC North. Arguably the best division in the AFC with one of the most talented teams in football in Pittsburgh. A division which added two former Heisman trophy winners to the Ravens and Browns a underachieving Pittsburgh team and a team that cant seem to win a playoff game in the Bengals. A super talented division where each team has intentions to improve from last year in which one team may even win the Super Bowl.  

Moving forward we jump into the AFC West. An unpredictable division where the winner of last year's division may not even make the playoffs this year. A veteran QB in Phillip Rivers, seasoned defense in the Denver Broncos, arguably the most talented offense in the league the Oakland Raiders and a young talented Chiefs Team all compete for the title. A division that is up for anyone to take makes it even more interesting to see who will prevail.

On this episode I break down the AFC EAST. A division where the Patriots have dominated for over a decade. A division with a 5 time Super bowl Champion QB, six year QB in Ryan Tannehill and two rookie QB's leading these teams into the 2018 season. A division where last year two teams made it to the postseason one who had not been in 18 years and the other team who goes every year. Possibly the most predictable and easiest divisions to break down but I as stated in this episode sometimes it only takes one play for your season to turn upside down.  

In light of the the upcoming 2018 NFL Season i decided to do something different. Over the next several weeks i will be breaking down all divisions from both the AFC and NFC conferences. I will be discussing the previous season and notable players who will be returning or departed. On this episode i started with the AFC South who had two teams in last year's postseason. I also touched on the new National Anthem Policy and what it means and how its been received moving forward. As we get closer to the kick off of the 2018 NFL season this is the first of many episodes to come.

On this episode I give my thoughts on where it moves Lebron James with a win of this years finals and how much closer he would be to Micheal Jordan. I also mention how important it is to win a specific game in order to have a chance at the series. Lebron James makes his 8th straight Finals appearance while the Golden State Warriors look to go Back to Back with 3 championships in four years. Who You GOT???? Cavs or Warriors

On this episode I sit down with sports beat writer John Dell as we discuss Journalism, Winston-Salem State Athletics and so much more. John explains how getting the story first isn't as important as it once was so much as having the right information. We talk about a few of his favorite athletes he's covered at Winston-Salem State University and one professional Athlete he'd love to interview. Husband, father, son, coach, friend, mentor and current resident of Winston-Salem a city he has grown to love sits down and Chopp's it up with Champ.    

William Hayes former Winston-Salem State University Ram and I sit down and chopp it up. Hayes currently with the Miami Dolphins talks about his early NFL struggles and how is almost did not make it. We discuss his experience with the Tennessee Titans and how it helped prepare him for his next chapter with the  St Louis Rams and the Miami Dolphins. He explains to me why it's so hard to stay in the NFL and we even get into a little Thursday Night Football. A native of High Point, NC who knew at an early age he was NFL bound. He talks about passion for the game, family, mermaids vs dinosaurs and so much more. An episode that you can not miss.

On this episode I discuss both the Eastern and Western Conference first round match ups. I discuss the Philadelphia Sixers 16 Game winning streak and who i think are the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference. I chopp it up about the competitive Western Conference and how the San Antonio Spurs with the greatness of coach Greg Popovich could potential upset the " Curry-Less" Warriors. I also explain what it will mean if Lebron James fails to reach the Finals and if it's a good thing or bad thing and how it could effect his legacy moving forward. Playoff Basketball is upon us. Lets Get It!!!!!

On this episode Glenn High School Head Football coach Antwon Stevenson talks about why he started coaching and the impact he strives to make on the youth in the city. We talk about the process of him becoming the head coach and the hard work it takes to achieve your goals. Coming off a 10-2 record his best season yet Coach Stevenson looks to improve and make a deeper run in the upcoming 2018 season and NCHS Football playoffs. Forsyth County Football at its best an episode you do not want to miss!!!

On this episode I talk about the greatness of James Harden. The MVP front runner and the most likely winner of the 2018 NBA season. However questions still arise if he will show up when it counts most in the upcoming playoffs. With the addition of Chris Paul and what that does to the team moving forward. A great episode and one to put in perspective after hearing what i have to say.  One you do not want to miss!!!

On this episode Brian a good friend of mine joins me to talk about UNC basketball. We discuss how and why we both became fans and the divide in the state for ACC Basketball. We also discussed the most recent UNC championship, back to back championship appearances (16, 17) and one of the biggest rivalries in sports UNC vs DUKE. A great Episode for all basketball fans and certainly TAR HEEL fans. An episode you do not want to miss!!!   

In this episode I chopp it up with Head Football, Coach Kienus Boulware of Winston-Salem State University. We discussed his season- ending injury at UNC Chapel Hill while in college and what led him to coaching.  We also discussed his journey to WSSU and the Championship rings he collected on the way. A man with many titles whose pure interest is dedicated to the football program, WSSU and the success of its student Athletes.  A dope episode I enjoyed doing at my Alma Mater and former stomping grounds. Ram alums you know what it is " IF YOU AINT A RAM, THEN YOU AINT $%*& !!!" An episode you do not want to miss!!!!

Super Eagles Fan Oscar Ball and I chop it up about Super Bowl 52 and how he knew his Eagles would win. He explains why he became an Eagles fan and gives his thoughts on what the Eagles should do with Foles moving forward. We also touch base on some of the 2018 NFL Hall of Fame inductees and how it may be the best HOF class yet, and why its so important not to have the term ( Mossed ) attached to your name at all.  We wrap things up talking about the Lakers and Celtics and Oscar  tells me who the greatest Los Angeles Laker is to this day.    

On this episode I touch on how The Philadelphia Eagles win their first Super Bowl in Franchise History and what this loss does to Tom Brady and his legacy. I discuss some of the unfavorable calls that did not go the New England Patriots way this time and what may be recipe of beating The New England Patriots in the future. I also touch on the unlikely back up quarterback hero Nick Foles and how he won the Super Bowl 52 MVP through perseverance, hard work and never giving up.

On this episode i discuss although James Harden 60 point Triple Double is monumental it want mean anything if he cant replicate it in the playoffs.  Alex smith gets traded to the NFC East racking up 94 million with 71 million guaranteed on the way and how he can make that division a lot more competitive with his experienced play. I also touch on The Cleveland Cavaliers losing again to under maned Detroit  Pistons without Reggie Jackson and newly traded Blake Griffin all while losing Kevin Love for 6-8 weeks.

On Episode 001 I talk about the AFC and NFC championship games and why the Patriots and Eagles for the 2nd time  will be meeting in the Super Bowl and why the Jaguars and Vikings are headed home.  I also touch on how bad the Cavaliers look and how they may not even make it out the Eastern Conference with there current play. I discuss the Pro Bowl and how non entertaining it has been most recently. As I slide back over to basketball i discuss Demarcus Cousins as he  drops a crazy stat line for the 10th time with at least 40 points and 20 rebounds.  And recognize Trae Young as he continues to drop buckets in his freshman campaign.

My Pilot Episode... On This Episode i discuss why i started a podcast why i choose the name of the my show and so much more. I talk about the love i have  for sports and some of the sports i played growing up from running on the track to lacing up football cleats. I also touched on what my show would be about and what and who to expect coming soon on future episodes. I ended with a interesting topic on the few names i carry from T.Y., Champ and T-Scott. A episode i enjoyed doing live from my Kitchen in Winston-Salem, N.C.   No music, no guest, just me hope you enjoy and Welcome to the Chopping It Up With Champ Podcast...

The Final four are set with Alabama at number 1, Clemson over V-Tech in Acc Championship taking the number 2 Spot, Ohio State 3 and Washington. Ohio State sneaks in without playing in Big Ten Championship. 4 Great teams battle it out to see who comes out on top.