Hail To The District Podcast

With the sports world (still) on hold, HTTD's Rajan Nanavati connects with good friends Neel (a life-long fan of the Chicago Bulls) and John to give their overdue thoughts on ESPN's "The Last Dance" documentary about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls of the 1980's and 1990's. They discuss Jordan's dominance, pathological competitiveness, and singular devotion to basketball cementing his legacy as the "GOAT" and greatest competitor (4:06), Jerry Krause being made the central villain in the documentary (34:34), the underrated brilliance of Dennis Rodman (44:28), if history should look back at Jordan as more of an "anti-hero" versus a "hero" (58:14), the fact that Jordan absolutely ensured Isiah Thomas would not be on the 1992 Dream Team (1:03:50), and if Scottie Pippen should've been unhappy with the way he was portrayed in the documentary.

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice reconvene to review the Washington Redskins' 2020 schedule, and provide their week-by-week predictions for all 16 games. They discuss their knee-jerk final win-loss predictions (0:54), the first four games of the year and which game they both agree the Redskins will win (5:46), the second four games which includes one against potentially the best team in the NFC (12:10), the third four games that features the "must-win" game for Dwayne Haskins (18:59), the final four games which includes "Ron Rivera's Revenge" matchup (28:27), thoughts on the Redskins 2020 NFL Draft picks after Chase Young (44:49), and if this is already a make-or-break year for Dwayne Haskins (1:00:17)

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice look ahead to the 2020 NFL Draft, and take a "deep dive" into potential moves the Washington Redskins could or should make. They discuss: the #2 pick looking all but wrapped up for the Redskins (1:04), who does Chase Young best compare to in the NFL (22:38), five legitimate options at wide receiver for the Redskins in the Draft (35:57), five legitimate options at cornerback in the Draft (47:30), a big-name trade option the Redskins should pursue at Tight End on Draft Day (1:00:39), the free agent move made this offseason that's among Rajan's most hated moves in years (1:12:13), and an early peek of the top 11 picks in the 2020 NFL Draft (1:20:51).

Stuck in quarantine due to the COVID-19 crisis, HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice join up again to review the moves made by the Washington Redskins in the first week of NFL Free Agency 2020. They discuss the modus operandi for how Ron Rivera wants to build the Redskins (3:58), Washington's "headline signing" of the week (32:42), the biggest need areas still remaining for the team (52:14), and who will be the backup quarterback behind Dwayne Haskins (1:11:29).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati is rejoined by good friends John and Neel to talk about some of the most intriguing stories for the 2nd half of the 2019-2020 NBA season. They discuss: if anyone in the Eastern Conference stop the Milwaukee Bucks (1:38), which of the two teams in Los Angeles will be the one left standing in the end (25:41), whether the Washington Wizards or Chicago Bulls can slip into the playoffs (37:47), who should win the Rookie of the Year award between Ja Morant and Zion Williamson (37:47), and ending the LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan for "GOAT" status debate.

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati reviews some of the recent stories emerging about Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, and provides his thoughts on whether he still remains the best selection for the Washington Redskins with the #2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati discusses Scott Turner officially becoming the new offensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins. Specifically, he talks about why Kevin O'Connell moved on from the Redskins (1:04), Turner's NFL career "resume" to date (7:06), and how the Turner's (Scott and Norv) work with Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers' offense (9:47).

HTTD's Patrick Rice recaps the flurry of moves made over the past week by Washington Nationals' General Manager Mike Rizzo. He discusses the return of Daniel Hudson and Asdrúbal Cabrera, the additions of Eric Thames and Starlin Castro, and if the Nats are still in the Josh Donaldson chase.

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati discusses the Washington Redskins hiring Jack Del Rio as their new defensive coordinator, alongside new head coach Ron Rivera. Discussion topics include Del Rio's resume and successes in his past stops (2:13), how the Redskins' current personnel on defense fits in a 4-3 scheme (5:25), and if the hiring of Del Rio and Rivera tipping off whom the Redskins could (or will) take with their top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft (9:21).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice revel in Bruce Allen being fired by the Washington Redskins, and discuss all the changes that have and will take place, starting with (presumed) new head coach Ron Rivera. That conversation includes the role of the "FireBruceAllen" social media movement (5:08), the emphasis on culture with the hiring of Ron Rivera (21:35), the dynamics of retaining Kevin O'Connell as the offensive coordinator, what to expect from the (likely) new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, potential candidates for the vacant General Manager position (37:13), and if Trent Williams returns to the team with Allen having been fired.

HTTD's Patrick Rice hops on to record an 'emergency' podcast, discussing the Washington Nationals re-signing World Series MVP pitcher Stephen Strasburg. He also discusses the finer points of Strasburg's contract, the inevitability of Strasburg coming back "home" to DC, how the deal is in line with General Manager Mike Rizzo's modus operandi, what the deal means for Rizzo's own future in DC, and if there's any money left to re-sign Anthony Rendon.

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice reconvened to discuss the Washington Post story in which Trent Williams publicly shreds DC sports' persona non grata, Bruce Allen. The conversation includes a deep-dive into the story on Trent Williams by Les Carpenter (0:33), what a Redskins Front Office could look like without Bruce Allen (22:53), a further look at what the Redskins could or should do with their top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft (30:35), breaking down the Redskins matchup against the Green Bay Packers (47:32), and a quick segue to the Nationals' chances of re-signing Stephen Strasburg and/or Anthony Rendon (1:09:48).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati provides his five major takeaways from the Washington Redskins win over the Carolina Panthers, which include: the standout performances from select defensive players (0:36), Derrius Guice fulfilling the promise from when the Redskins drafted him (4:18), Dwayne Haskins' best day as a member of the Redskins (6:55), how the Redskins' win affects their 2020 NFL Draft positioning (11:15), and whether this win did more damage than good (or vice versa) for this team's future (12:32).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice discuss the Washington Redskins' win over the Detroit Lions last Sunday, and take a "deep dive" into the progress and potential of quarterback Dwayne Haskins, based on what we've seen to date. Discussion topics include: the good things and the not-very-good things pertaining to Haskins (2:25), one of Haskins' biggest flaws (13:28), a quick look ahead to the Redskins' options in the 2020 NFL Draft, one of Haskins' best intangible attributes (27:55), potential future head coaching options for the Redskins (36:33), revisiting the "Scot McCloughan was bad at drafting" fallacy (47:51), and how blind supporters of the Redskins are the ones hurting this franchise (1:03:03)

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati is joined by Brandon Anderson, a top NBA writer for Medium.com, to discuss the most interesting teams in the NBA for the 2019-2020 season, including the Golden State Warriors (2:03), Dallas Mavericks (10:01), Utah Jazz (14:41), Milwaukee Bucks (22:56), and Chicago Bulls (33:55). After that, they provide an in-depth look at the Minnesota Vikings, whom the Washington Redskins play on Thursday Night Football (53:38).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati plus good friends John and Neel wrap up Part 2 of their 2019-2020 NBA Preview by examining the NBA's Eastern Conference. They talk about the Brooklyn Nets potentially missing the playoffs (1:58), if Markelle Fultz can resurrect his career in Orlando (16:52), the Indiana Pacers being a team primed to make an important trade (28:36), how much better will the Celtics will be without Kyrie Irving (32:08), if Milwaukee has enough around Giannis Antetokounmpo to truly be a contender (44:45), and early predictions about who'll be this year's MVP (52:38).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati catches up with good friends Neel and John in the first of their two-part 2019-2020 NBA season preview. In Part 1, they preview the Western Conference, with discussion topics that include whether New Orleans is the most watchable team in the West (6:27), a potential new "dynamic duo" of teammates (13:54), how the Lakers could finish outside the top 4 in the West (26:05), the potential of the new-look LA Clippers (43:20), the prospects of the James Harden-Russell Westbrook pairing (49:55), and early predictions for who wins the Western Conference (57:02).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice react to the Washington Redskins firing Jay Gruden, his legacy in DC, and the reasons why he failed as a head coach. And, of course, they discuss Bruce Allen's inconceivable arrogance and ignorance in the post-firing Press Conference.

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati goes on an angry (if not cathartic) rant after the Washington Redskins lose to the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. He discusses the incompetence of Greg Manusky (1:48), Case Keenum's dreadful performance (4:35), and Josh Norman has another terrible outing (5:46), before ending things with some brutally harsh (but true) words for Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen (10:59).

HailToTheDistrict's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice discuss the trainwreck that is the Washington Redskins' 2019 season so far (through the first two weeks). Discussion topics include: final thoughts on the loss against Dallas (1:01), the toxic behavior of Redskins fans on social media (10:00), previewing the matchup between the Redskins and the Chicago Bears (25:46), and predictions for the outcome of the game (53:24).