Pardon My Take – Episode Summary
Title: NBA With Kirk Goldsberry, The Knicks Stun The Celtics With Special Guest Jerry O'Connell, Pacers With Another Thrilling Comeback, Hockey Playoffs And Listener Submitted FAQ's
Release Date: May 7, 2025

Hosts: Big Cat, PFT Commenter, Hank
Special Guests: Jerry O'Connell, Kirk Goldsberry

1. NBA Playoffs Analysis

a. Pacers vs Cavaliers

The episode delves deep into the Indiana Pacers' remarkable performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Big Cat and PFT Commenter highlight the Pacers' resilience, particularly focusing on Tyrese Halberton's exceptional play.

• Comeback Highlights:
  Big Cat reflects on the Pacers overcoming a 20-point deficit, managing to come back multiple times within the last minute of the game.
  Big Cat (05:09): “The Pacers are just, they just never quit. They have alligator blood. They do not die.”

• Halberton's Impact:
  PFT emphasizes Halberton's clutch step-back three-pointer that clinched the game.
  PFT Commenter (07:24): “Halberton's step-back three to win the game. Silence the crowd. What a stud.”

• Defensive Strategies:
  The discussion includes the Cavaliers' defensive lapses, such as poor free-throw boxing.
  PFT Commenter (05:52): “One of them, I'll give you one of them. With D. Smith, when he came in with that dunk, awesome. He was definitely like inside the three-point arc, but who cares? That happens on every shot. You got to learn how to box out.”

b. Nuggets vs Thunder

Kirk Goldsberry joins the conversation to provide an analytical perspective on the Denver Nuggets' showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

• Nikola Jokic’s Dominance:
  Kirk praises Jokic as the most skilled player in the world, likening his performance to a modern-day Wilt Chamberlain.
  Kirk Goldsberry (103:02): “He's the most skilled player in the world. He does everything at a very high level.”

• Foul-Up Threes Controversy:
  The hosts critique the Thunder’s strategic decision to foul up three-point shooters late in the game, a tactic that backfired spectacularly.
  Big Cat (16:07): “They should not have fouled up three. It just felt like the Thunder completely screwed that up.”

• Coaching and Team Dynamics:
  Discussion touches on coaching decisions and the Thunder’s need for a reliable second scorer.
  Kirk Goldsberry (105:07): “They need either Chad or J Dub to show up and attack.”

2. Special Guest: Jerry O'Connell’s Experience at the BET Gala

Jerry O'Connell shares his day-long experience attending the BET Gala alongside the hosts, offering amusing and candid anecdotes.

• Fashion Mishaps and Interactions:
  Jerry recounts wearing a satirical outfit to mock Met Gala fashion, which led to humorous exchanges with celebrities like Larry Fitzgerald and Stephen Nash.
  Jerry O'Connell (39:31): “It was so much fun there at the DraftKings sportsbook in Scottsdale. Larry Fitzgerald was like, the fuck are you wearing, man? Like, what is this?”

• Hank’s Ear Incident:
  A recurring comedic subplot involves Hank experiencing ear discomfort, initially attributing it to Jerry’s enthusiastic cheering during the game.
  Hank (35:57): “He was screaming bing bong into my ears. I woke up this morning, was like, damn, my ear hasn't popped.”

• Apologies and Clarifications:
  Toward the end of the podcast, Jerry clarifies that he never actually screamed in Hank’s ear, leading to a humorous exchange of apologies and denials.
  Jerry O'Connell (44:09): “I'm sorry, Hank. I never screamed directly in your ear.”

3. Hockey Playoffs Recap

The hosts provide an overview of a heated playoff matchup between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes.

• Game Breakdown:
  The Capitals struggled to maintain puck possession and faced challenges due to the Hurricanes' high shot volume.
  Memes (21:58): “The Caps had two highlights today. One OVI hit a one-timer... And Tom Wilson took another man's mouthpiece out of his mouth.”

• Player Highlights and Antics:
  Logan Thompson’s impressive performance for the Capitals is spotlighted, alongside Tom Wilson's aggressive on-ice actions.
  Memes (22:16): “Tom Wilson took another man's mouthpiece out of his mouth and gave it back to him. Said, here you go.”

• Fan Engagement Issues:
  The lack of enthusiastic support from the DC crowd is critiqued, with only a few fans showing any spirited support.
  Memes (23:15): “The only person in the crowd that did have juice tonight was Stanford Steve.”

4. Listener FAQs

The podcast addresses listener-submitted questions, providing insights and humorous takes on various sports topics.

• Apology Segment:
  Hank grapples with feeling he wronged Jerry during the ear incident, navigating the comedic tension created earlier in the show.
  Hank (75:10): “I apologize for nothing.”

• Pregame Routines and Snacks:
  Hosts discuss their pre-podcast routines, which include playful banter and sharing favorite snacks to boost energy before recording.

5. Other Sports Discussions

a. Soccer: Barcelona’s Unexpected Performance

The hosts express surprise at Barcelona’s underwhelming performance, contrasting their current form with past successes.

• Game Analysis:
  Big Cat and Memes debate the unexpected challenges faced by Barcelona, questioning why the team struggles despite high expectations.
  Big Cat (33:45): “We thought Barcelona would win. Everyone told me they win. They're struggling, and it's unbelievable.”

b. Horse Racing: Sovereignty’s Withdrawal from the Preakness

A brief discussion on Sovereignty’s decision not to compete in the Preakness Stakes, touching on broader issues within horse racing.

• Concerns Raised:
  The hosts criticize the handling of Sovereignty’s withdrawal, highlighting a trend of horses being sidelined after major wins.
  Big Cat (26:16): “This horse has been coddled his entire life. Torn, told it's special. It accomplishes one thing and then you never do anything again.”

6. Interactive Segments: Hot Seat, Cool Throne

a. Hot Seat: James Harden

Hank takes James Harden to the "Hot Seat," critiquing Harden’s playoff performances and labeling him the most overrated player, a claim that sparks disagreement among the hosts.

• Performance Critique:
  Hank (80:07): “Harden has 35 career playoff games with under four field goals made. That's insane.”

• Counterarguments:
  Memes (83:19): “I respect the fact that James Harden doesn’t give a shit. Everyone's got a thing.”

b. Cool Throne: Accountability

The "Cool Throne" spotlight focuses on accountability within sports, particularly addressing controversial decisions like the Ravens releasing kicker Justin Tucker.

• Ravens' Decision:
  Critique is leveled at the NFL team’s seemingly unfounded decision to release a top-performing kicker, with discussions on potential underlying reasons.
  Memes (90:08): “There's a bunch of accusers. It feels like a coordinated hit job.”

7. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

The episode concludes with reflections on the day’s events, upcoming games, and a heartfelt nod to guest Kirk Goldsberry’s contributions.

• Kirk’s Insights on the Finals:
  Kirk provides a final analysis predicting Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, emphasizing Jokic’s continued dominance and the Celtics' strategic advantages.
  Kirk Goldsberry (107:24): “Boston has a much easier path to the finals than OKC. Denver and Minnesota are both looking good.”

• Goodbyes and Apologies:
  A humorous exchange ensues as Hank and Jerry navigate the earlier ear incident, culminating in playful apologies and assurances.
  Big Cat (146:54): “He did yell in my ear, but that's all right.”

Notable Quotes:

• Big Cat (05:09): “The Pacers are just, they just never quit. They have alligator blood. They do not die.”
• PFT Commenter (07:24): “Halberton's step-back three to win the game. Silence the crowd. What a stud.”
• Kirk Goldsberry (103:02): “He's the most skilled player in the world. He does everything at a very high level.”
• Memes (21:58): “The Caps had two highlights today. One OVI hit a one-timer... And Tom Wilson took another man's mouthpiece out of his mouth.”
• Hank (80:07): “Harden has 35 career playoff games with under four field goals made. That's insane.”

Conclusion

This episode of "Pardon My Take" offers an engaging mix of in-depth NBA playoff analysis, humorous and candid interactions with guest Jerry O'Connell, a concise recap of a heated hockey playoff game, and insightful listener FAQs. The hosts, alongside Kirk Goldsberry, provide a rich narrative that balances statistical analysis with playful banter, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking both information and entertainment.