Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – OWC: NBA Opening Night 2025

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered (312 Sports)
Episode: Organizations Win Championships #115
Date: October 21, 2025
Hosts: Dan Bernstein (B), Jason Bernstein (A)

Episode Overview

Dan and Jason Bernstein break down the Chicago Bulls’ outlook heading into NBA Opening Night 2025. The episode blends sharp Bulls analysis, league-wide storylines, nitty-gritty debates on roster health, and classic Bernstein humor. Key topics include injury updates, Bulls’ Most Improved Player (MIP) contenders, deployment ideas for Noah Esenge, a tribute to NBA trivia, and a skeptical look at Michael Jordan’s new “Insights to Excellence” segment on NBC’s NBA coverage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bulls Injury Outlook and Roster Depth

Timestamp: 02:36–07:35, 10:08–11:51

• Kobe White’s injury: Out for at least two weeks with “calf tightness,” which both Bernsteins fear could foreshadow Achilles issues.
  • Jason: “No, you don’t f. with calf tightness.” (03:53)
  • Dan notes the Bulls are right to be cautious, referencing Tyrese Haliburton’s similar injury last year.
• Zach Collins: Out for at least four weeks after wrist surgery.
• Jalen Smith: Opportunity to step up, but “struggled with conditioning at this time last year” (05:45).
• Patrick Williams: Game-time decision due to a groin issue.
• Ayo Dosunmu: Hurt his thumb during a preseason game but is expected to play.
• Roster numbers and jerseys: Jalen Smith switching to #25, Dalen Terry to #7—causing “weird” confusion (06:03).
• Trade speculation: Dan muses about Kobe White’s value, especially if the team chooses to pivot and prioritize draft capital:
  • “If somebody were offering two firsts for him, oh my God.” (10:50)

2. Bulls Season Expectations and Team Philosophy

Timestamp: 04:49–05:12, 11:51–12:43

• The consensus is the Bulls are “expected to be in the play-in, with or without [Kobe White]” (05:04).
• Jason: “Honestly, would not…care all that much. If anything, I think it would be better [if they missed the play-in].”
• Bulls likely to hold onto some pieces if White or others increase their trade value.
• Conversation on the 2025 NBA draft class being “pretty good,” and shoutout to Cam Williams (Kentucky), a projected first-rounder and personal favorite.

3. Most Improved Player (MIP) Discussion & NBA Wide Odds

Timestamp: 13:17–22:45

• Modest Gzealous (Bulls) is openly aiming for MIP—Dan contextualizes: “Most of the guys who win Most Improved Player make the All-Star team.” (13:17)
• Deep dive into MIP odds across the league, with special focus on Bulls:
  • “Modest is tied for number five” in odds. (14:53)
• Long odds and value picks analyzed:
  • Jason’s sleeper: “Bilal Koulibaly…That’s who I’d put my money on. Really. At 50 to 1?” (21:20–21:23)
• Lively banter on NBA young talent, team-building philosophies, and importance of the trade deadline.

4. Noah Esenge’s Role and Development Path

Timestamp: 26:48–29:25

• Jason: Expects Esenge to start the season in the G League due to roster logjam (“just no breathing room for his archetype right now”).
• Contingent on trade deadline moves and Esenge’s growth (weight room, conditioning).
• Dan: “If he’s developing at a rate that says this is a future contributing piece, that’s all we can ask for, right?” (29:25)

5. Michael Jordan’s Return to NBC – “Insights to Excellence”

Timestamp: 29:27–32:36

• MJ will headline taped features called “MJ Insights to Excellence” on NBC’s new NBA coverage, interviewed by Mike Tirico.
• Jason is unimpressed:
  • “He’s a maniac. I think all of his excellence came out of natural talent and being a psychopath. Like, cool…You also gotta be six eight, right?” (30:35)
  • “What else has he got to say, other than he pissed me off…I want to cut his throat open and dunk on him simultaneously.” (31:30)
• Dan: “Lesson one: Kill the—be a maniac.” (32:17)
• Both hosts pine for “Insights to Excellence” from overachievers or less-celebrated players.

6. Offbeat Bulls/NBA Trivia Showdown

Timestamp: 33:04–45:10

• Fun, challenging Bulls history/ NBA stat contests, including:
  • Six Bulls with 5,000 points for Chicago and another team (Chet Walker, DeMar DeRozan, Vucevic, Artist Gilmore, Reggie Theus, Jimmy Butler).
  • History of NBA players with 27/11/5 stat lines (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jokic, Wilt, Baylor, Embiid, Kareem, Oscar Robertson).

7. Light Moments, Banter & Memorable Quotes

Throughout, esp. 07:38–09:23, 21:13–22:14, 25:01–26:43

• Jokes about new jersey numbers (“they are both Jason baseball numbers”—06:14).
• TikTok & meme asides about “six, seven” (Lamelo Ball/college memes)—“Every single time someone says…six, seven, I can’t help but just go six, seven, and that’s everybody.” (09:05)
• Ice cream digressions, soft serve in New Orleans, and Dairy Queen jokes tied back to Zion Williamson.
  • “Luckily for him, there isn’t a Dairy Queen in the New Orleans metropolitan area. You have to go all the way to Metairie.” (25:01)
• Beards, midterms, and self-deprecation as classic Bernstein family fare.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jason on Kobe White’s calf injury:
  “No, you don’t f. with calf tightness.” (03:53)
• On Bulls season outlook:
  “They’re expected to be in the play-in, with him or without him, they’ll be in the play-in, right?” (Dan, 05:04)
• On Michael Jordan’s new NBC segment:
  “He’s a maniac. I think all of his excellence came out of natural talent and being a psychopath.” (Jason, 30:35)
• On overcomplicating network features:
  “Lesson one: Be better than everyone else. Right?” (Jason, 32:28)
• On Noah Esenge’s likely G League stint:
  “There’s just no breathing room for his archetype right now on their roster…It depends on what they do at the deadline.” (Jason, 27:02)
• Trivia fun:
  “Is Taj still…It can’t be Taj. He only plays when, like, Thibodeau calls him at 3 in the morning.” (Dan, 36:47)
• On TikTok & meme culture:
  “Every single time someone says…six, seven, I can’t help but just go six, seven, and that’s everybody.” (Jason, 09:05)
• Dan on Bulls fan expectations:
  “If [Esenge] can be, by the end of the year, developing at a rate that says this is a future contributing piece, that’s all we can ask for, right?” (29:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 0:06–2:36: Opening banter, technical difficulties, and personal updates (midterms)
• 2:36–7:35: Bulls injury report and impact on Opening Night
• 10:08–11:51: Discussion of Bulls’ trade situations and asset management
• 13:17–22:45: Deep dive into Most Improved Player odds and Bulls prospects
• 26:48–29:25: Noah Esenge’s role, G League prospects, and trade deadline implications
• 29:27–32:36: Michael Jordan’s new NBC role, “MJ Insights to Excellence”
• 33:04–45:10: Bulls trivia showdown (historic stats and NBA records)
• Throughout: Irreverent banter, ice cream tangents, meme culture, and trivia fun

Episode Tone & Style

True to its “Unfiltered” tagline, the podcast is candid, irreverent, and laced with Chicago-style sports sarcasm. The hosts riff on each other, tie sports back to everyday life, and aren’t afraid to be dismissive or self-deprecating, especially regarding casual fandom and media coverage excesses.

This episode provides a comprehensive, honest preview of the Bulls' season and the wider NBA landscape—perfect for both die-hards and newcomers just jumping into Chicago sports talk.