Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – MJ: NBA Brand Ambassador?

Episode Date: October 22, 2025 | Host: Dan Bernstein | Producer: Matt Abbatacola

Episode Overview

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the NBA’s return to NBC, focusing on Michael Jordan's new role as a Brand Ambassador and his "Insights to Excellence" segments. They also recap NBA opening night, discuss the Bulls’ season outlook, compare the attitudes of basketball legends like MJ and George Gervin, touch on issues like deepfake broadcasting, and deliver quirky sports stories (including a Sammy Hagar impersonator). As always, the conversation is irreverent, sharp, and packed with Chicago sports flavor.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

NBA Returns to NBC & Opening Night Analysis

• Mike Tirico as Lead Broadcaster

  • The hosts praise Tirico’s professionalism, adaptability, and flawless delivery across sports.

    “He never stumbles. He never ever stumbles.” (Bernstein, 02:36)

  • They discuss how Tirico’s research and steady presence elevate broadcasts.

• Thunder vs. Rockets Double OT Game

  • Reactions to an exciting double-overtime:
    • Anticlimactic end with free throws (SGA drawing the foul, making the go-ahead points).
    • Rockets’ unique tall starting lineup was discussed with some meme-culture humor (“six, seven”).
    • Kevin Durant's actual height and stigma against “seven-footers” was debated.
  • Memorable Play-by-play Replay (05:24–05:36):

    “And the Thunder with an opening night victory. So, yeah...I just didn’t want the winning shot to be at the free throw line.” (Abbatacola, 05:24)

Michael Jordan’s Role as NBA Brand Ambassador

• NBC Segment: ‘Insights to Excellence’

  • Jordan appears in a video series from his living room (possibly the same as in ‘The Last Dance’ rather than a studio), sharing basketball wisdom and reflecting on his career.
  • The hosts riff on the ease with which MJ ‘gets paid’ and the performative nature of these segments:

    “So Michael Jordan gets a huge check from NBC... You can come into my house and ask me how awesome I am.” (Bernstein, 12:28)

• Highlight: MJ Interview Excerpt with Mike Tirico
  (14:02–15:06, MJ’s words in original tone)

  • When asked why he wants to share about basketball:

    “Pay it forward. You know, I have an obligation to the game of basketball. Not financially. I'm okay. ...As a basketball player is to be able to pass on messages of success and dedication to the game of basketball...I wish I can take a magic pill...That's the type of competition...I miss that aspect of playing the game of basketball. Being able to challenge myself against what people see as great basketball." (Jordan, 14:11–15:06)

  • The hosts joke that MJ can’t help but position himself as better than "what people see as great basketball" today.

• Jordan’s Attitude: Competitive Edge and ‘Paying It Forward’

  • The consensus is that for all his “giving back,” MJ exudes thinly veiled scorn for today’s players:

    “You just paid him money for him to be like, what could possibly potentially be perceived as good? ...I kill all these dudes.” (Bernstein, 17:22)

  • Bernstein and Abbatacola lampoon the segment as MJ simply reminding everyone he’d still dominate if he wanted:

    “I take a magic pill...I might just do it right damn now...and I'm gonna kick all your asses.” (Bernstein, imitating MJ, 16:00–16:09)

Contrast: George Gervin’s Humility

• George ‘Iceman’ Gervin on Today’s NBA
  (20:29–22:35)

  • Gervin humbly states he’d have “none” points in today’s game:

    “Because I couldn’t play. What do you mean? These guys are so much better than them guys.” (Gervin, 21:09–21:15)

  • On the evolution of the game:

    “I had my turn. These guys turn and let them enjoy it like I enjoyed it when I had my turn.” (Gervin, 21:19–21:23)

• Hosts’ Takeaway: Two Kinds of Legends

  • Gervin’s comments are lauded as the real way to “pay it forward”—recognizing the game’s growth.
  • In contrast, MJ’s approach is to assert his everlasting dominance, with little genuine respect for new stars.

Broadcasting Tech: Deepfake Voices

• NBC’s Use of Deepfake Jim Fagan (NBA on NBC voice)
  • Mixed feelings: Bernstein finds it off-putting and would prefer opportunities for new voices.

    “Let people die. And let that be an opportunity for an up and coming booth announcer to do another voiceover.” (Bernstein, 25:15)

  • Abbatacola is more forgiving if it’s just an opening-night tribute.

Chicago Bulls Season & Local Sports Bad Luck

• Injury Rundown (Bulls vs. Pistons Opener)
  • Kobe White out (calf), Zach Collins out (wrist), Patrick Williams (game-time decision), Ayo Dosunmu likely to play.
• Sudden Animal Rescue Tangent
  • Bernstein tells, in typical Chicago storytelling style, a long fishing anecdote involving rescuing a bat—illustrating his quirky passion for animals (31:31–34:21).

NFL: Bears vs. Ravens Preview

• State of the Bears
  • 4–2, heading into Baltimore with a chance to keep a win streak going.
• Perception and Narrative
  • Despite the record, national power rankings still don’t buy the Bears; a win against the Ravens could swing that narrative.

    “Five wins in a row is hard to keep making excuses for at that point.” (Bernstein, 43:05)

  • Bears’ performance impacts Coach of the Year odds (Ben Johnson leading contenders at +700).

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Michael Jordan’s Segment

  “Thank you for letting us into your home. ...What do I have to say? I’ll beat all these motherfuckers.” (Bernstein paraphrasing MJ, 15:39–15:58)

• On Broadcasting Gifts to Jordan

  “All he’s got to do is sit there in his pajamas and say he’d kick everybody’s ass.” (Bernstein, 16:29)

• Comparing Generations

  “That’s what paying it forward looks like. Paying it forward is: I have an immense respect for how the game has evolved and how the game has improved.” (Bernstein, re: Gervin, 22:39)

• NBA Voice Deepfake

  “Let people die. ...Let them die with some dignity.” (Bernstein, 25:15)

• Riffing on Bulls’ future commentary

  “I’ll be the Michael Jordan of DBU. ...By letting people in your house.” (Abbatacola, 35:09–35:13)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time (MM:SS) | Segment | |------------------|------------------------------------------------| | 00:08–03:22 | NBA NBC broadcast review; praise for Tirico | | 03:53–06:55 | Thunder vs. Rockets discussion; endgame analysis| | 12:19–17:34 | Michael Jordan ‘Insights to Excellence’ breakdown| | 20:29–23:10 | George Gervin humility and paying it forward | | 24:41–26:22 | Deepfake Jim Fagan on NBA on NBC | | 27:05–29:51 | Bulls injury rundown & opening night preview | | 38:21–43:26 | Bears-Ravens preview and Coach of the Year talk | | 47:16–52:34 | Hilarious story: Sammy Hagar impersonator |

Notable Quotes

• Dan Bernstein (about MJ’s presence):

  “You can come to my house. You can send Mike Tirico here. And then I’m just gonna tell you how awesome I am.” (13:22)

• Michael Jordan (on competing again):

  “I wish I can take a magic pill...that's that type of competition, that type of competitiveness is what I live for. And I miss it.” (14:35–14:38)

• George Gervin (on comparing eras):

  “These guys are so much better than them guys...I had my turn. These guys turn and let them enjoy it like I enjoyed it when I had my turn.” (21:15, 21:19)

Tone & Flavor

• Irreverent, smart, and entertaining—blending genuine sports expertise with Chicago-style sarcasm and humor.
• Both hosts riff continually, with gentle self-deprecation and nostalgia.
• Even when dissecting major figures, the tone is unfiltered and bracing:

  “He’s the sharkiest shark of any shark that ever lived.” (Abbatacola, about MJ, 17:58)

Summary in a Nutshell

The episode dissects the spectacle of Michael Jordan as an NBA Brand Ambassador—finding his “legacy wisdom” more about self-mythologizing than true mentorship—while contrasting him with legends like George Gervin who humbly acknowledge the game's evolution. Along the way, the show touches on NBA opening night, the Bulls’ precarious health, Bears’ playoff prospects, and serves up classic oddball stories—all with the irreverence and candor long associated with Dan Bernstein.