Episode Overview

Title: John's Idea To Have At Least One Regular Joe Fan Play On An NBA Team Each Night
Podcast: Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Date: February 17, 2026
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Brett Vesely, Dick Toledo

In this lively and offbeat episode, John Holmberg pitches a wild, hilarious idea: What if every NBA team was required to put a randomly selected "regular Joe" fan on the court to play six minutes in every game? The crew imagines both the chaos and the unexpected magic such a spectacle could produce, riffing on the arrogance of armchair athletes, recounting stories about playing with pros, and exploring what this could look like in other sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Genesis of the Promotional Idea (01:09–02:31)

• John’s Idea:
  • Every NBA team must randomly select one fan in attendance ("Section 103, Row 15, Seat 15, Come on down!") to play six minutes in the game.
  • The spirit is to settle debates among fans who claim, "I could do that," by letting one prove it.
• John:

  "Every team has to have a fan on the floor at any given time...you get six minutes to play in an NBA game...I wonder how you'd fare." (01:09)

• Brady:
  • Laughs at the idea’s intensity:

  "That's a little heavy. Six minutes." (01:50)

2. Comparing Professional and Average Joe Experiences (02:31–03:26)

• Brady:
  • Remembers playing against surprisingly gifted amateurs—some so good, they seemed pro-level, but still not enough for the NBA.
  • Notes big step ups at each level:

  "Even college levels [are on another planet]." (03:23)

• Brett:
  • Wonders about the dangers, joking about super-physical NBA players like DeAndre Ayton:

  "Can you imagine getting an elbow from DeAndre or something like that?" (03:26)

3. Hilarious Outcomes and the Allure for Fans (03:27–04:21)

• John:
  • Envisions potential chaos: fouling out, clueless play, even getting in fights, but the thrill would draw crowds.

  "You're such a wrench in the game...You just start punching dudes and you get your ass kicked. It would be the most exciting thing ever." (03:36)

• On ticket sales:

  "How much could you charge for tickets?" (04:21)

4. Real-Life Pro Encounters and Embarrassing Fan Moments (04:33–06:06)

• John:
  • Shares his own humbling (and hilarious) experience being dunked over by Kenny Skywalker:

  "He told me to move before he started to drive the ball...there's a big black groin going over my forehead..." (04:41)

• Brady & John:
  • Consider if playing with the team's dance squad would be less embarrassing than on the actual court.

5. Game Mechanics and Further Daydreams (06:10–07:49)

• John:
  • Proposes that both teams must sub in their fan simultaneously.
  • Imagines the humiliation of an average Joe guarded by NBA stars.
• Brady:
  • Reflects on the practical approach if picked:

  "I'm going out there. I'm looking not to throw the ball away." (06:06)

• Life-changing moments:
  • Even a single NBA minute could be transformative.

6. John’s Brush With the Pros – Globetrotters & Michael Irvin Stories (07:49–09:53)

• John:
  • Reminisces about scoring five points in a Globetrotters exhibition and getting hustled by NBA legend Meadowlark Lemon.

  "Meadowlark Lemon handed me the ball...He was setting me up like the dumbest man in the world." (07:50)

• Playing with Michael Irvin:
  • Describes how Irvin would steal the ball and dominate, even against (and with) amateurs.

7. Armchair Athletes, WNBA, and the Limits of the Gimmick (11:09–12:35)

• Calling out the “I could do that” crowd:
  • John wants to put the armchair quarterbacks on the spot.

  "Just like, alright, Dick, let’s see it. Go." (11:12)

• On WNBA comparisons:
  • Brags he could survive and score in the women’s league, but admits that’s a controversial take.

  "Even at 50 with two metal hips, I’m pretty sure I’d be alright in the WNBA for six minutes." (11:16)

• Other sports:
  • Football, baseball, and hockey are ruled out due to danger and complexity.
  • Boxing for regular folks? "Nobody wants to watch Mike Tyson drop an alcoholic in the middle of a ring." (12:29)

8. Could It Work in Soccer or Baseball? (12:35–13:28)

• Brady and John:
  • Soccer might kind of work—but mostly for laughs, and not at the professional technical level.
  • Baseball is a total bust for amateurs facing professional pitchers; one wasted at-bat.

  "At bat against a professional pitcher, I don't care if you used to be good. Without reps and stuff, you're screwed." (13:21)

9. The Spectacle’s Enduring Appeal and Impracticality (13:28–14:09)

• Recalling Bill Veeck’s wild baseball antics:
  • The crew compares this NBA fan idea to legendary baseball promotions.

  "This is what baseball used to do... like, we're gonna put a midget out there today... and it's memorable, like, to this day." (13:08)

• Reality Check:
  • Legal liability would doom the idea, and the NBA “doesn’t want us to actually participate.”
  • John relishes being an "idea man" even if these schemes never take off.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Holmberg:
  • "You get six minutes to play in an NBA game...I wonder how you'd fare." (01:09)
  • "It would be the most exciting thing ever that every night for six minutes a fan gets in..." (03:36)
  • "He told me to move before he started to drive the ball...there's a big black groin going over my forehead..." (04:41)
  • "I'm an idea man, Brady. That's what I do. I'll come up with great ideas that no one will ever use. It's worthless. Idea man is what I am." (14:01)
• Brady Bogen:
  • "I'm going out there. I'm looking not to throw the ball away." (06:06)
  • "You play. It would be an awesome experience." (02:55)
• Brett Vesely:
  • "Can you imagine getting an elbow from DeAndre or something like that?" (03:26)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:09] – John introduces the “Regular Joe” NBA player idea.
• [03:36] – Envisioning chaos: fan fights, fouling out, and pure excitement.
• [04:41] – John’s story about getting dunked on by Kenny Skywalker.
• [06:06] – Brady’s humble game plan if picked.
• [07:50] – John recalls Globetrotters prank and unexpected success.
• [08:40] – Hilarious Michael Irvin ball-hog story.
• [11:16] – John claims he could compete in the WNBA.
• [13:08] – Baseball’s history of wild fan promotions referenced.

Summary

The episode is a raucous, tongue-in-cheek brainstorm on fusing pro sports with fan bravado, as John and the crew weigh the chaos, comedy, and potential magic of letting an everyday fan play real NBA minutes. Their stories—whether being posterized, outmatched, or just loitering on the court—underscore the immense gap between professional athletes and regular folks, even as the idea taps into every fan’s dream of being “called up.” Liability and reality may sideline this promotion forever, but the fun and fantasy make it a classic HMS riff.