Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Dan Bernstein (A), with Jason Bernstein (C) and Special Guest Jason Goff (B)
Episode: Jason Goff – The Athletic Show on Amazon Fire TV and The Full Go Podcast
Date: November 4, 2025
Theme: A deep, unvarnished look at the Chicago Bulls’ present and future, featuring candid reflections from ex-Bulls analyst Jason Goff on team development, NBA trends, coaching dynamics, and franchise evolution.

Episode Overview

This episode reunites longtime Chicago sports voice Dan Bernstein with Jason Goff, cherished for his prior Bulls coverage. The discussion delivers raw, witty, and insightful commentary on the Bulls’ early-season performance, player development, coaching nuances, and NBA trends. The conversation also zooms out into league-wide observations—peppered with memorable stories, offbeat analogies, and the crew’s trademark banter.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jason Goff’s Run with the Bulls Broadcast Team [00:55]

• Jason reflects warmly on his unexpected six-year stint covering the Bulls, describing his entry as a leap of faith and celebrating the camaraderie and authenticity of the experience:
  • “I had a good six-year run. We had a ball. It was something that I never anticipated doing.” — Jason Goff [00:56]
• He credits colleagues like Kendall Gill, Will Perdue, Naomi, and Mark for their roles and camaraderie.
• Goff shares that network and team pressures shaped his commentary early on but allowed his style to emerge over time.
• Appreciates now getting more time with family and watching as a fan.

2. Early-Season Bulls Assessment & Roster Dynamics [02:31]

• Bernstein highlights the Bulls’ surprising start: No. 2 in the East, top-5 offense, deep rotation, and “no drop-offs” irrespective of personnel changes.
• Goff points out strategic advantages:
  • Shorter substitution patterns (“like hockey shifts”) leading to greater rotation flexibility and chemistry development.
  • Defensive intensity, especially pressing guards late in games to wear down high-usage opponents.
  • Unburdening from former “lead dogs” (Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan) allows for more egalitarian, contract-motivated play.
  • Analytics-driven tactics: pace and nuanced rotations.
• Ongoing question: Who hits late game shots when roles stabilize, especially when Kobe White returns? [05:16]
  • “Roles have to be defined. When Kobe comes back, he’s going to be the guy that goes and gets a shot in the fourth quarter.” — Jason Goff [05:16]

3. Rotational Chaos & College Basketball Parallels [05:56]

• Jason Bernstein compares Bulls’ deep, fluid rotations to the college game, especially in the transfer portal era. Notes influx of “new guys,” how Zach Collins’s absence (rim protection) is overlooked, and shouts out up-and-comer Vijay Edgecombe.
• Fun aside: Zach Collins’s infamous goaltending against Northwestern.

4. Patrick Williams’ Role and Limitations [07:00, 08:50]

• Extended analysis of Patrick Williams’s future:
  • Bernstein: Second-unit role suits Williams’s current play and mindset, though “he’s just a better basketball player than Isaac Okoro.” [07:36]
  • Goff: Williams “doesn’t behave like a [starter],” never developed a signature NBA skill, struggled to pick a developmental lane, and hasn't asserted himself despite veterans urging him to do so.
    • “Sometimes you gotta believe when guys are telling you what they are.” — Jason Goff [08:50]
  • Modestas (Modest) strengthens his starter claim via assertiveness and presence.
  • Williams “comes in handy, you know, in a friend group. Right. But you’re not counting on him to lead the way.” [14:53]
  • Bernstein: “That’s worth $19 million on a good team.” [14:53]

5. Player Development and the Evolving NBA Skillset [11:45, 12:13]

• Picking apart NBA development patterns:
  • Noah Senge’s (Isenge) learning curve: needs time but lacks minutes for crucial pick-and-roll reps.
  • NBA shifting away from pick-and-roll dominance—more teams now lack the “maestro” needed to run classic sets, emphasizing quick decision-making and athletic versatility.
  • Goff celebrates resurgence of stylistic diversity in basketball, comparing trends across sports.

6. Johnny Furphy, Defensive Fundamentals, and NBA Scouting Terms [15:21, 16:02]

• Comic interlude about Johnny Furphy’s surprising athleticism and the racial-coded term “sneaky athletic.”
• Goff shares insight from an NBA scout: teams identify the “most important guy” (MIG) to target defensively—often the weakest defender in rotation.
  • “That guy, he’s called the Mig in every offensive set.” — Jason Goff [16:42]

7. Josh Giddey’s Value and NBA Triple-Double Discussion [16:54–19:15]

• Bulls’ acquisition of Josh Giddey: improved defensive effort, stronger penetration, higher free-throw rates. Goff notes the perception/reality gap from his Thunder days.
• Amusing reaction to Stacey King’s on-air proclamation:
  • “This is the guy who’s going to lead the league in triple doubles. And I’m like… Jokic, right?” — Jason Goff [19:03]
  • Banter about Luka Doncic’s transcendent play and the NBA’s “white boys” narrative.

8. NBA Gambling Scandal and League Parity [20:15, 21:50]

• Spirited riff about the league being “on crack” with explosive scoring, the surprise Bulls start, and off-court gambling headlines (“Damon knows and Chauncey Billups dad getting perp walked”).
• Goff laments timing overshadowing exciting basketball.

9. Taxes and Athlete Responsibility [21:55–22:56]

• Humorous public service rant about professional athletes needing to pay taxes.
  • “Who thinks of taxes as optional? They're not optional.” — Dan Bernstein [21:55]

10. Wes Unseld Jr.’s Impact as Assistant Coach [22:56–24:56]

• Goff was a previous fan of Unseld Jr. as a Bulls coaching candidate. Praises his ability to teach and communicate defense, relate to players, and “not trying to steal” the head coach’s job.
  • Contrasts him with “politicking” assistants and former Bulls coach Jim Boylen (whose “backstabbing” is criticized by Bernstein).

11. Modestas’s (Modest) NBA Ceiling – Markkanen Comparison [27:13–31:46]

• Bernstein and Goff debate Modest’s future:
  • High-level skills: size, block timing, developing shot, herky-jerky unpredictability (“freaky... there is a level of disrespect that he has for anybody who’s trying to guard him.” [28:51])
  • Goff: sees potential fringe All-Star, but notes NBA’s “Big 2, Little 6” era means you need someone like Modest as second banana unless he reaches star status.
  • Cautions: comparisons to Markkanen (bigger base, purer shooter) and Pascal Siakam (less “oc,” but stylistically some overlap).
• NBA's elite depth highlighted: many teams have multiple all-NBA talents; championship calculations growing more complex under new cap rules.

12. Around the NBA: Atlanta, Orlando, and More [31:46–33:58]

• Atlanta (Quin Snyder) praised for fun offensive sets.
• Orlando’s shooting woes dissected: Paolo Banchero’s inefficient shot selection likened to “Josh Smith territory.”
• Sizing up Eastern Conference chaos; Bulls can “get back on par” with rising second-tier teams.

13. Rapid-Fire Showdown: Bulls Scoring Leaders and NCAA NBA Alumni [34:12–43:16]

• Jason Bernstein runs a trivia game about Bulls’ leading 30-point scorers since 2000; Goff and Dan trade guesses, memories, and humorous stories (e.g., Ron Mercer’s stat fixation; Jalen Rose’s “Gibson Steakhouse entrance”).
• Further NCAA trivia: Bulls alumni from Northwestern and Michigan currently in the NBA.
  • “My guy… wanted the paper score sheet in his hand.” — Dan Bernstein [35:20]
  • Specifics: confusion about recent two-way players, surprise at little-known alumni (e.g., Pat Spencer).

14. Closing Banter and Appreciation [43:16–end]

• Warm thanks and a mutual desire to revisit the conversation later in the season.
  • “Anytime, gentlemen. I truly appreciate you guys. Thank you.” — Jason Goff [43:29]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 00:56 | “I had a good six year run. We had a ball. It was something that I never anticipated doing.” | Jason Goff | | 05:16 | “Roles have to be defined. When Kobe comes back, he’s going to be the guy that goes and gets a shot in the fourth quarter.” | Jason Goff | | 08:50 | “Sometimes you gotta believe when guys are telling you what they are.” | Jason Goff | | 14:53 | “He comes in handy, you know, in a friend group. Right. But you’re not counting on him to lead the way.” | Jason Goff (on Patrick Williams) | | 19:03 | “This is the guy who’s going to lead the league in triple doubles. And I’m like… Jokic, right?” | Jason Goff | | 21:55 | “Who thinks of taxes as optional? They're not optional.” | Dan Bernstein | | 24:56 | “He’s [Unseld Jr.] one of those cats who can explain, relay and make people execute defense in a way that very few dudes do in the NBA…” | Jason Goff | | 28:51 | “He’s freaky. Modest has every… a level of disrespect that he has for anybody who’s trying to guard him that I truly appreciate…” | Jason Goff | | 35:20 | “That man could not wait to get the paper score sheet in his hand.” | Dan Bernstein (re: Ron Mercer) |

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:55] Jason Goff on his years with the Bulls
• [02:31] Bulls’ early-season surges; new offensive and defensive approach
• [08:50] The reality of Patrick Williams’ NBA ceiling
• [14:53] Williams’ ideal (and limited) NBA role
• [16:42] “Mig” as NBA defensive scouting target
• [19:03] Josh Giddey, triple-doubles, and league parity
• [21:55] PSA: Athletes must pay taxes
• [22:56] Wes Unseld Jr. as assistant coach
• [27:13] Projecting Modest’s ceiling/future
• [31:46] Around the NBA: Atlanta, Orlando, and more
• [34:12] Bulls scoring leaders and NCAA NBA alumni trivia
• [43:29] Thank you and sign-off

Tone and Style Notes

• Direct, irreverent, and sometimes sardonic—true to Dan Bernstein and Jason Goff’s on-air personas.
• Rich with Chicago basketball lore, pop culture references, and insider, unfiltered perspective.
• Balances deep basketball nerdiness (“getting some real nerd basketball here” [12:04]) with relatable, playful humor.

For Listeners:

This episode is an essential listen for Bulls fans—or any NBA follower—craving sharp analysis, real talk about player roles, and the personalities that make (and occasionally break) teams. Come for the deep Bulls insight; stay for the stories and laughter.