Pardon My Take - Episode Summary
Release Date: May 14, 2025

1. Celtics' 3-1 Series Deficit and Jayson Tatum's Injury

The hosts delve into the Boston Celtics' disappointing fall to a 3-1 series deficit against the New York Knicks, primarily attributing the loss to Jayson Tatum's unfortunate Achilles injury.

• Big Cat [03:03]: "They're playing great ball right now, and that's a fact."
• PFT [04:05]: "It is demoralizing, you're right. Because last year felt like the year where they learned how to lose."

Hank expresses frustration over the Celtics' inability to secure the conference finals despite a strong regular season, highlighting the impact of key player injuries.

• Hank [07:09]: "It's still game by game. Anyone can come back and he's going to learn that the hard way."

The discussion emphasizes the need for the Celtics to focus on winning each game individually, especially in the wake of significant injuries.

• PFT [31:51]: "We can beat the Knicks without Jason Tatum."

2. Mavericks Win the NBA Lottery

The episode shifts focus to the NBA Lottery, celebrating the Dallas Mavericks securing the top pick with a slim 1.8% chance, edging out the Chicago Bulls by a mere 0.1%.

• Big Cat [62:48]: "We got credentialed and we were at the lottery. We might have gotten..."
• PFT [65:06]: "Well, they were the only team that that, like, could have happened to."

The hosts express mixed feelings about attending the lottery event, humorously critiquing the presentation and their own experience.

• Big Cat [62:57]: "They hand us a fucking picture of ourselves on a laminated card with a lanyard on."
• PFT [64:33]: "And I imagine they get pissed off that everyone says that it's rigged."

They also touch upon conspiracy theories surrounding the lottery's fairness, ultimately debunking their suspicions after witnessing the transparent process.

• Big Cat [70:21]: "Every sports conspiracy theory where, like, if you had a gun to my head and you're like, you have to say yes or no, was this rigged?"
• PFT [70:25]: "Yeah, that's us. That's us."

3. Interview with Pablo Torre: Jordan Hudson and Bill Belichick

Pablo Torre joins the podcast to discuss his investigative work on the relationship between Jordan Hudson and NFL coach Bill Belichick.

• Big Cat [143:03]: "Journalist to journalists, we have to just lay all of our cards on the table."
• Pablo Torre [143:47]: "We take stupid things seriously and also serious things stupidly."

Torre reveals his deep dive into the dynamics behind Belichick's professional environment, particularly focusing on Hudson's influence and the ensuing power struggles.

• Pablo Torre [147:36]: "It's like, we have to figure out how to just start the conversation that all of us have been too afraid to talk about."

He addresses the rumors and controversies surrounding Hudson's role, emphasizing the challenges of uncovering the truth behind high-profile relationships.

• Pablo Torre [162:55]: "People started seeing Jordan Hudson in Bill Belichick's... events, and it was like, okay, we gotta make this happen somehow."

The interview concludes with discussions about potential future collaborations and the complexities of maintaining journalistic integrity while investigating influential figures.

4. Keith Yandle on Hockey Playoffs

Keith Yandle, a seasoned NHL player, discusses the ongoing hockey playoffs, offering insights into team performances and key matches.

• Keith Yandle [03:02]: "The Thunder are starting to get up to speed where it's like these crunch time, big time moments."

Yandle provides analysis on the Dallas Mavericks' (Mavs) strategies and the team's chemistry, highlighting standout performances and potential outcomes in the playoffs.

• Yandle [26:30]: "They are a team that can carry it over and, you know, keep building momentum on that."

He also touches upon other playoff series, offering his perspectives on team dynamics and player performances.

• Yandle [117:37]: "Florida will, I think that the way that they play will kind of take away from the way that Carolina plays."

5. Guys on Chicks Segment

In a light-hearted and humorous segment, the hosts discuss various topics related to women, relationships, and personal anecdotes.

• Hank [182:44]: "I heard about guys doing Scrotox, which is Botox for your balls. What's your take on this?"
• PFT [183:01]: "Yes. That's a fact."

The conversation takes a comedic turn as they joke about relationships, personal grooming, and the absurdities of modern dating culture.

• Big Cat [185:03]: "If you're the Wizard's front office, do you pick up that phone and do you call Nico and do you say, just take it."
• Hank [195:15]: "I hope three hits so bad."

They conclude the segment by sharing laughs over playful banter about personal grooming habits and relationship woes.

Notable Quotes:

• Big Cat [03:03]: "They're playing great ball right now, and that's a fact."
• PFT [31:51]: "We can beat the Knicks without Jason Tatum."
• Pablo Torre [143:47]: "We take stupid things seriously and also serious things stupidly."
• Yandle [26:30]: "They are a team that can carry it over and, you know, keep building momentum on that."
• Hank [182:44]: "I heard about guys doing Scrotox, which is Botox for your balls. What's your take on this?"

This episode of "Pardon My Take" offers a comprehensive look into pivotal NBA playoff moments, the intricacies of the NBA Lottery, an in-depth investigative discussion with Pablo Torre, expert analysis from NHL veteran Keith Yandle, and a fun segment tackling relationship dynamics. Whether you're a sports enthusiast or looking for engaging conversations, this episode delivers a mix of insightful commentary and entertaining banter.