Are the Pacers the MOST Clutch Team in the NBA?

Summary

Episode Summary: Are the Pacers the MOST Clutch Team in the NBA?

Podcast: PTI
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Mike Wilbon
Release Date: May 22, 2025

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1. Indiana Pacers' Stunning Comeback Against the Knicks

The episode opens with a deep dive into the Indiana Pacers' extraordinary performance against the New York Knicks. Down by 14 points with just under three minutes remaining, the Pacers orchestrated a remarkable comeback, outscoring the Knicks by eight points in the final seconds to force overtime, ultimately winning 138-135. Key moments included Aaron Neesmith's flawless shooting and Tyrese Halliburton's controversial three-pointer that was ruled a two-point shot, tallying the game to a tie.

Mike Wilbon reflects on the unpredictability of the game:

“I can't make sense of it. Maybe you can, because I can't.” (00:39)

Tony Kornheiser emphasizes the improbability of the Pacers' performance:

“What happened last night was actually impossible. Things went on that were not possible.” (03:10)

The hosts discuss the Pacers' consistent ability to stage comebacks throughout the playoffs, highlighting their resilience against teams like Milwaukee and Cleveland. They debate whether this performance signifies the Pacers as the most clutch team in the NBA, considering their strategic adjustments and mental fortitude.

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2. Dallas Stars' Playoff Comeback vs. Edmonton Oilers

Shifting to hockey, the conversation centers on the Dallas Stars overcoming a significant deficit against the Edmonton Oilers. Entering the third period trailing 31-43, the Stars surged with five goals, including three power-play objectives, to secure a 6-3 victory.

Tony Kornheiser critiques the Oilers' performance:

“Edmonton is the agent of its own destruction here because it gave up penalty after penalty.” (06:07)

Mike Wilbon agrees, attributing the loss to the Oilers' strategic failures:

“It is downright stupid and irresponsible to have three penalties, two of them for high sticks in that shorter time frame.” (07:43)

The discussion highlights the Oilers' uncharacteristic collapse and the Stars' exemplary comeback, drawing parallels to the earlier Pacers-Knicks game in terms of dramatic turnarounds in playoff settings.

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3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins MVP Amidst Controversy

The conversation transitions to basketball accolades, focusing on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP award. Garnering 71 out of 100 first-place votes, Gilgeous-Alexander's performance is lauded despite critiques regarding his tendency to draw fouls and occasional flopping.

Tony Kornheiser questions whether Gilgeous-Alexander's style merits respect or derision:

“Should we deride or respect his penchant for drawing fouls?” (08:33)

Mike Wilbon defends Gilgeous-Alexander's approach, emphasizing his active play in the paint and his leadership in guiding the team to the best record:

“He's actually paying attention to the mid range and he's honoring a part of the game that most people have bailed on.” (09:05)

The hosts debate the ethics and effectiveness of drawing fouls as a legitimate strategy, ultimately supporting Gilgeous-Alexander's contributions to his team's success and dismissing criticisms as unfounded.

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4. Detroit Tigers' Impressive Start to the Baseball Season

Transitioning to baseball, the hosts discuss the Detroit Tigers' exceptional record of 33-17 through the first 50 games, making them the team with the best record in the league at that point. Tony Kornheiser attributes their success to strengths in their roster and competitive division.

Tony Kornheiser highlights the Tigers' unexpected performance:

“Nobody would have predicted they'd have the best record in baseball after 50 games.” (13:25)

Mike Wilbon counters by emphasizing the context of the Tigers' schedule difficulty:

“The Tigers have had the 17th most difficult schedule so far this year.” (14:21)

The discussion underscores the importance of schedule strength in evaluating team performance and suggests that the Tigers' impressive start may not be sustainable as they face tougher opponents moving forward.

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5. Novak Djokovic's Prospects at the French Open

The episode also touches on tennis, specifically Novak Djokovic's chances at the upcoming French Open. At 38 years old, Djokovic faces skepticism regarding his ability to compete against younger talents like Carlos Alcaraz.

Tony Kornheiser remains cautiously optimistic, recalling Djokovic's past successes on clay:

“The last time he played in the French Open without leaving because of injury problems, he won it.” (15:18)

Mike Wilbon dismisses Djokovic's chances, citing his recent performance and age:

“I'm giving him a chance,” (Tony) vs.
“Zero chance.” (Mike)

The hosts debate Djokovic's potential legacy and whether he can secure another major title, with Mike firmly believing Djokovic's French Open aspirations are over.

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6. Miscellaneous Sports Updates

The latter part of the episode covers various sports news:

• Colts' Quarterback Situation: Anthony Richardson's future with the Indianapolis Colts is uncertain following a challenging rookie season.
  "Richardson's future in Indianapolis is anything but assured." (17:07)

• Kentucky Colonels' 50th Anniversary: Reflecting on the ABA-NBA merger, the hosts reminisce about the Kentucky Colonels' legacy and notable players like Artis Gilmore and Dan Issel.
  "Artis Gilmore led the Colonels with 28 points and 31 rebounds." (19:55)

• Jim Irsay's Passing: The sad news of Colts owner Jim Irsay's passing is shared, highlighting his contributions and the team's history.
  "The Colts made two Super Bowls under Jim Irsay, winning one in 2007." (19:55)

• NHL Coaching Changes: Brendan Shanahan's departure from the Maple Leafs and Jeff Glasshill's hiring by the Blackhawks are discussed briefly.
  "Brendan Shanahan will not return as president of the Maple Leafs. Are you surprised?" (20:45)

• College Football Playoff Format Change: The hosts support the move to a straight seeding method with top four teams receiving byes.
  “The top four teams, that's the way it should be.” (22:05)

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7. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Highlights

As the episode wraps up, the hosts preview upcoming games and events:

• Nuggets' Coaching Decision: David Adelman's appointment as the Nuggets' permanent head coach is praised.
  “I think it's a great decision.” (21:16)

• Hurricanes vs. Panthers: Predictions for the game, with Mike backing Carolina to even the series.
  “I'm going to take Carolina to even the series tonight.” (22:19)

• Northwestern Women's Golf Championship: A celebratory mention of the Northwestern women's golf team winning the NCAA Championship.
  “The Northwestern women's golf team. National champions Baby Cheer.” (22:47)

The episode concludes with standard sign-offs, encouraging listeners to access the podcast through various platforms.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike Wilbon:

  “I can't make sense of it. Maybe you can, because I can't.” (00:39)
  “It's not like Rick Carlisle doesn't have anything to work with on the film study.” (05:00)
  “I'm putting this entirely in Edmonton's lap. It is downright stupid and irresponsible...” (07:43)
  “He's actually paying attention to the mid range...” (09:05)
  “Some of those other teams have played more difficult schedules...” (14:21)
  “I'm giving him zero chance.” (16:21)

• Tony Kornheiser:

  “Do not get your septum pierced. Do not.” (00:45)
  “What happened last night was actually impossible.” (03:10)
  “Shay Gilgeous-Alexander has done it.” (08:33)
  “Should we deride or respect his penchant for drawing fouls?” (08:33)
  “Nobody would have predicted they'd have the best record in baseball...” (13:25)
  “I believe he took 15 shots in the paint on game one.” (10:02)
  “What are you doing, Edmonton?” (07:54)

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This episode of PTI offers a comprehensive analysis of recent sports events, blending in-depth discussions with the hosts' characteristic humor and insights. From the Pacers' clutch performances to Djokovic's waning prospects, Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon provide listeners with a well-rounded perspective on the current sports landscape.

Transcript

[Mike Wilbon]

For the team ready to conquer the grandest stage, immortality awaits moments of sweat and sacrifice towards the composition of champions. An unforgettable journey is nearing its finale. Four more wins to take home the trophy. The NBA finals, presented by YouTube TV, begin June 5 on ABC. Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. It's World Goth Day. Tony, did you ever have a goth face?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Kornheiser. Briefly, do not get your septum pierced. Do not.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, I think I'm gonna stay away from all piercings, Goth or otherwise. No piercings. My son just got both ears pierced. Both ears?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Really?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And you allowed that?

[Mike Wilbon]

His grandfather was rolling over in his grave. You. I did.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You didn't say what it was either.

[Mike Wilbon]

Ink. Get out of the house. The ink I have a problem with. I let the ear piercings go. I let it go.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Get him out of the house, man. No, no. Can't have that. Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, the stars overtake the Oilers. Shai Gilgis Alexander wins mvp, and the Tigers have the best record in baseball. But we begin today with the Indiana pacers making up 14 points in the last 2 minutes and 51 seconds and eight points in the last 35 seconds and forcing overtime, where they beat the Knicks 138 to 135. In those frantic last few minutes, Aaron Neesmith hit four three pointers and Tyrese Halliburton hit what looked like a three pointer to win, but was ruled a two to tie. Indiana outscored New York 3316 from the 251 mark and through the overtime. Wilbon, how do you make sense of what happened in Madison Square Garden last year?

[Mike Wilbon]

I can't. I can't. There's no making sense of it. You can. You can be in awe of it. You can scream out loud. I'm surprised my voice is back. Between screaming over the Northwestern women winning the NCAA Golf Championship against Stanford and then this game back to back. Surprised I have a voice. I can't make sense of it. Tony, you were at the closest thing to this. You were at the Reggie Miller game. And I know you love being there. You can't make sense of it. 30 years later, you. Some things you just enjoy. You just sit there and you marvel at it. And I can pick apart the Knicks. I don't think I want to say the Knicks choked. I mean, they kind of did, but I don't think that's my main takeaway is that the Pacers have done this now, they did this against Milwaukee. They did this to a degree against Cleveland. Halliburton does this right down to the choke sign, which I loved, which was, of course, derivative. And Reggie Miller's there. Tony, it was such great theater. How can this go up? How can it get any better? And that just. It was so cool to have this game play out in the Garden last night. But make sense of it. Maybe you can, because I can't.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, what happened last night was actually impossible. Things went on that were not possible. And we'll start with Neesmith. Niecemith hit six threes, went six for six in the fourth quarter. Six threes. Now, he's a good three point shooter. His percentage is 43.1%. This was 100%. Halliburton shot was impossible. When you hit the back rim, it does not go straight up in the air and fall cleanly to the net. Because if it worked like that, Butler would have been the national champions. Now, you can say that the Knicks played no defense at the end. And maybe they played no defense at the end, Mike, but you and I have watched enough basketball games to know that all these shots don't go in. There's not a game where they all go in quite like this. So I'm going to refer to my notes. I don't know what this means for the series. I prefer to think of it right now without any other context. Without game two, three, four. Yeah. Sort of as an outlier. But as you said, the Pacers have been doing this through the playoffs, where they are now. I was wrong the other day. But they are now five one on the raid, on the road. They came from eight back, closed eight nothing to beat Milwaukee. They closed eight, nothing to beat in the second round. Cleveland. Yeah, Cleveland. And now they do this. You know, I mentioned this to you on the phone today. Knicks got 78 points from Brunson and Towns. Yeah, 78 point. And they lost. Nobody has ever gotten 78 and lost. And how often are you going to get 78? So this is what I would worry about if I was the Knicks, that I just had the best game I was going to have and did not win it because of this combination of impossible things.

[Mike Wilbon]

And, Tony, to just put a punctuation here, the Pacers didn't play much defense at all the first three quarters and eight minutes. They finally got it even. They couldn't get consistent stops late. So the Pacers have. I mean, it's not like Rick Carlisle doesn't have anything to work with on the film study Today. Because he does he. So the Pacers can walk in there and say, wait a minute, we sort of got away with the A ending on C work. Maybe they don't have C work tomorrow. I can't wait for game two in this thing. Look, it started off irresistible and it's gone up. I don't know if it's sustainable, but my goodness. The Stanley cup playoffs provided a compelling comeback as well. Dallas Stars were down to the Oilers 31 entering the third. The Stars then scored five times in the final period, including three power play goals the first six minutes en route to a 63 winning game one. Tony, do you frame this as a Stars comeback or an Edmonton collapse?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, so as you're fond of saying, both things can be true. There's no doubt in my mind that Edmonton is the agent of its own destruction here because it gave up penalty after penalty after penalty. You're up three one. What are you doing? Okay, the first penalty carries over from the second period into the early third period. Dallas scores. The second penalty is two minutes later. Dallas scores. The third penalty is less than two minutes later and Dallas scores. I mean, did you learn nothing here? Apparently not. So you go, if you're Edmonton from 31 up to 43 down in less than five minutes. Now, I don't want to say this is a collapse because these are power play goals. That's a different thing. Other sports don't have this. This is a five on four. You know, it's a different thing. But Edmonton is responsible for what happened in this particular case. Meanwhile, Dallas scores five goals in the third. Who gets five goals in the third in the playoffs, other than Florida, Maybe they do. Edmonton had gone, Mike, 13 playoff games in a row, winning them where they led going into the third. So, I mean, this doesn't happen. Yeah, it doesn't really happen. Look, it feels like an echo from the Knicks and the Pacers. And you have to ask the same question. And the question is this, is this a shattering loss? Is this a series dispiriting loss? The difference in hockey is if they don't make those penalties, they win the game. So their film study today is play clean. Just play clean.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm putting this entirely in Edmonton's lap. It is downright stupid and irresponsible to have three penalties, two of them for high sticks in that shorter time frame. You knew at the end of the second period you'd given them that advantage going into the third. You give up the goal there. What are you doing that? I mean, that's Just unbelievably, almost arrogant. And the Oilers have not played that way. They're still seeking a championship with the.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Best player in the world with these guys.

[Mike Wilbon]

And then maybe the best teammates in the world. No, they haven't. So what are you doing? No, you, you're not going to give up five goals in the third unless three of them. One empty net and three power plays. Come on now. I'm putting this on the Oilers. They, they, they got some redeeming. That's fair to do.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's fair. That's fair. Let's go back to basketball and Shay Gilgeous Alexander officially winning the MVP award. Gilgeous Alexander got 71 first place votes out of 100. Nikola Jokic got the other 29. This is the seventh straight season a foreign born player as one MVP. There is some backlash though. Some people are saying Gilgeous Alexander goes out of his way to draw fouls and that he flops a lot. This was evidenced in game one when Gilgeous Alexander took 14 free throws. Will Bond, you voted for him.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Should we deride or respect his penchant for drawing fouls?

[Mike Wilbon]

You should pay no attention to it. It's fine. It's part and parcel. He's not floating around 28ft from the basket. That's not his game. He's actually paying attention to the mid range and he's honoring a part of the game that most people have bailed on because they don't want to have any contact. I'm not talking about obviously the Steph Currys of the world and the Dame Lillard and the truly great three point shooters. Everybody wants to shoot threes, even if they're 6, 8, 240 pounds. No, Shay is taking his butt into the paint and playing with the trees. And if he gets an elbow or hip and he goes down and it's an N1, I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear anybody detracting from this kid because he's a great player. He led his team to the best record. He lapped the field, which is why I voted for him and not the joker who was historically great. Again, I don't want to hear this nonsense.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, I would love to disagree. I don't think I can disagree with this. There are certain players who do annoying things. For example, for years James Harden did this all the time. He would stop outside the three point line, he would fake and fake and fake till you went into the air and then he would put up a ridiculous shot and draw the contact and go for three. I always felt that was not an ethical way to play basketball, but I love James Harden and that was the way he got 30 points a game. Right. That's what he did. My feeling about basketball is that it pays off if you score the most amount of points. So if you can go to the line and score points, you ought to do it. If you get referees to be complicit with you, then I honestly think, Mike, that you ought to do it. And as you say, Gilgis Alexander, he's not staying out at 23ft and shooting threes. He. I believe he took 15 shots in the paint on game one. How many did your boy Ant man take in the paint? Took nothing. I believe in the paint.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I think that that should be rewarded. I'll make one other small point, and it's about Jalen Brunson, who deliberately initiates contact with every dribble he makes when he is closely guarded. And if that bumping gets him to the line, that strikes me as strategic. He has done his job. Referees tend to call more defensive fouls than offensive fouls. And if you can get them to be on your side. And Gilgis Alexander has done it. I like you. I'm not going to yell and scream like you, but I think, you know, he's playing basketball. And as you say, they had more wins than anybody else. Let's take a break.

[Mike Wilbon]

Agree. And game two is tonight, by the way, coming up.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, thanks for that promo. I'm sure the network loves it. The Tigers have baseball's best record through 50 games. What's word for that and how best.

[Mike Wilbon]

To describe Novak Djokovic's chances of winning the French Open? Surprise is even playing away.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Mikko Rantanen scored no goals last night and the team got six. Right. They had guys scored who hadn't scored the whole series.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know, you're playing five on tour, you ought to be able to score some goals seriously.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Welcome to AutoZone. What are you working on today?

[Mike Wilbon]

My car is making this noise. Sometimes it's like. And sometimes it's like.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do you have a dash light on?

[Mike Wilbon]

Oh, yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And we don't have to listen for clues. With the free fix finder service, we can read a check engine, ABS or maintenance light to find the likely fix and even recommend a local shop if you need one.

[Mike Wilbon]

So you don't need to hear the.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not with fix finder. Everything you need, nothing you don't get in the zone. Auto zone restrictions apply. Starting a business can seem like a daunting task unless you have a partner like Shopify. They have the tools you need to start and grow your business. From designing a website to marketing to selling and beyond, Shopify can help with everything you need. There's a reason millions of companies like Mattel, Heinz and Allbirds continue to trust and use them. With Shopify on your side, turn your big business idea into Sign up for your $1 per month [e-mail] Specialoffer time for little commentator what's first?

[Mike Wilbon]

It's blank that the Tigers have baseball's best record through 50 games.

[Tony Kornheiser]

My word is unexpected. The Tigers are 33 and 17. I believe the Phillies and the Dodgers each have 31 wins. I believe your Cubs and the mets each have 30 wins. And the Tigers were a playoff team last year, but they were a playoff team because they got hot very late. They were selling off assets at the trade deadline when they were 52 and 17. And after that they went 34, 19. Even with that, Mike, nobody would have predicted they'd have the best record in baseball after 50 games. Because one of the reasons is other than Tarek School, you can't name anybody on the Tigers. And they play in the toughest division in the American League, where Kansas City and Cleveland and Minnesota are also over.500. I believe that they play. They start a series today, the Tigers with Cleveland, which knocked them out of the playoffs last year. Here's the one thing I'm sure of. A.J. hinch can manage. He can.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm sure I don't need to go back to last year. I just got to go to this year. First of all, it's contextual. The context is the Tigers have had the 17th most difficult schedule so far this year. Tigers haven't played anybody good. They're going to play Cleveland good. They'll get into division play and their record will come back. The Cubbies, who you mentioned already, even despite playing the last nine games against the White Sox and Marlins, have the third most difficult schedule so far in the major leagues. So, no, it's just context. The Tigers haven't done anything yet. Some of those other teams have played more difficult schedules until the White Sox and Marlins cluttered the cup schedule. Thank God they did. We went 7 and 2. We had the most difficult schedule. Context is everything.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What's next?

[Mike Wilbon]

Novak Djokovic, his chances of winning the French Open are blank.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Come see. Come saw. You see what I did there? I did that in French. I did that in French for everybody. Novak Djokovic, I believe, is 38 years old today, only one man in history has won a major at the age 37 or older, and that was Roy Emerson. Right. Long term, Ken Roswell.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

A peer of Laver and Emerson. A peer. So, yes, Ken Roswell. His record this year, Djokovic's record, I believe, is 13 and 7. He hasn't actually won anything, and he just split up with Andy Murray, who was his coach for an hour and a half. Yeah, right. So. So I. There's a tendency for me to write him off, but I'm not going to do it. And I'm going to tell you why. Because the last time he played in the French Open without leaving because of injury problems, he won it. And that was two years ago. And the last time he played on the red clay and Roland Garros was last summer in Paris in the Olympics. And he won it. And I believe he beat Alcaraz. And so, yes, I'm giving him a chance.

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, even though he won today, to improve the 14 7, I'm giving him zero chance. That's my word. Zero. And, you know, the last couple of years, I would say to you, Tony Djokovic is going to make himself the goat, because he's going to get out there and he's going to have a couple more and he's going to, you know, separate himself enough from Nadal and Federer. He's going to be the goat. Okay, but it's over for the French. It's done. He can't win. He fired Andy Murray, as you mentioned, because he got so frustrated and lost, like, first round, like, three times in a row. Zero chance, Tone. He's not gonna win there. I'm not saying he won't win another one, but he ain't gonna win the French. And if he has to play Alcaraz, he's going down.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Can you say zero in French in the way that I said cosa.

[Mike Wilbon]

I wanted to say cero, but that's not it. So I don't know.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, that would be Spanish. Cerro would sound more Spanish than French. That's final word. Let's take one last break. Still to come, will the Hurricanes even up their series with the Panthers tonight? Not if Panthers score like they've been scoring.

[Mike Wilbon]

And is it a big blow that Christian Pulisic won't join the US Squad for the Gold Cup? Tony, did you watch the Northwestern women make the putt? Deanna Lee to win. To beat Stanford.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Would I have seen that on ESPN14?

[Mike Wilbon]

Why?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Would I have seen that?

[Mike Wilbon]

No, on the Golf Channel.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time, people happy 23rd birthday. Anthony Richardson. The 6'4,245 pound quarterback was drafted number four overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 2023 out of Florida where he had started there for just one season. He started for the Colts as a rookie but got hurt after four games and a 22 record. Richardson has a huge arm and great athletic ability, but last season he was benched in favor of Joe Flacco after a terrible 47.3 completion percentage percentage and eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions. This year Richardson will have to compete with Daniel Jones and draftee Riley Leonard from in state Notre Dame. So Richardson's future in Indianapolis is anything but assured.

[Mike Wilbon]

And Tony, if that's the case, I would blame it on the team. Why rush him into that? The talk when he was drafted was of not enough college reps and experience to go right into a starting lineup and be successful. Successful? Then why do it blame the team?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy anniversary Kentucky Colonels. On this day 50 years ago, the Colonels beat the Indiana Pacers 110105 in Freedom hall to win the next to last ABA championship in five games. The new York Nets won the following year and after that the leagues merged and New York, San Antonio, Indiana and Denver joined the NBA. Kentucky was left out in this game. Artis Gilmore led the Colonels with 28 points and 31 rebounds. Gilmore is one of four hall of Famers from that team along with Dan Issel, Louis Dampier and Kentucky's coach Eubie Brown. Indiana was coached by hall of Famer Slick Leonard and featured league MVP George McGinnis, veteran Roger Brown, Billy Knight who had 40 in this game and our friend Len, Elmore, Gilmore and Issel.

[Mike Wilbon]

And because Kentucky was aced out, Gilmore went into some kind of draft and he wound up with the Bulls. And so we were thrilled for a while that we got the great artist Gilmore. He and Issel. That's the front line right there. Take that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Today a melancholy trails Jim Irsay. The Colts owner passed away yesterday at the age of 65. Irsay took over the team in 1997 after the passing of his father Bob, who had notoriously moved the team to Indianapolis from Baltimore. The Colts made two Super Bowls under Jim Irsay, winning one in 2007 when Peyton Manning and company beat Wilbon's Bears. Irsay was open about his decades long struggles with addiction. He loved rock music. He had a fabulous guitar collection. The team is expected to be transferred to his daughters.

[Mike Wilbon]

Tony, he might have had a team with more appearances in Super Bowls if Andrew Luck had been able To. To stay healthy and sort of reach the great, great, great potential. We saw a little bit of it, not nearly enough, but that might have sort of changed the way we look back at things.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This has nothing to do with Jim Irsay, but when Bob Irsay moved that team in the middle of the night with the Mayflower Bands, that was one of the biggest stories ever in sports. It really was one omission. Brendan Shanahan will not return as president of the Maple Leafs. Are you surprised?

[Mike Wilbon]

Not really. 11 years, no conference final. You know, the pressure. Not really.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Really? Pretty big name. Brendan Shanahan. It is pretty big name. Very successful. Let's go to the big finish.

[Mike Wilbon]

Let's do it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The Nuggets have officially hired David Adelman as their permanent head coach. Is that a good decision?

[Mike Wilbon]

No, I think it's a great decision. With the way that team rallied around each other, the players in the locker room and him and Adelman. Rick's son. Good for him. Good for them. Christian Pulisic will not join the U.S. gold cup team because he needs recovery time. Your thoughts?

[Tony Kornheiser]

If somebody's injured, they're injured. He played all year in Europe, right? I mean, didn't they call him Wonder boy at one point? So it can't help us. Gotta hurt us. The Blackhawks hired Jeff Glasshill as their new head coach. Is that okay with you?

[Mike Wilbon]

I mean, he's got the requisite experience, having been with the Lightning and the Red Wings. We need players, and lots of them. Sooner the better. The College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding method this fall. The top four get byes. You okay with that?

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's the way it should be. It didn't work last year. They tried to fool around with it from conferences and all of that. No, the top four teams, that's the.

[Mike Wilbon]

Way it should be.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Should get the buys. That's it. Last one, Panthers. Hurricanes. Game two tonight. Who you got?

[Mike Wilbon]

Hurricane gonna stand up to the Panthers? Are they gonna stand up to them and put together an effort? You would think they would have to do it. Down one zero and playing game two at home. So I guess that's my way of saying I'm going to take Carolina to even the series tonight.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We are out of time. We will try and do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

[Mike Wilbon]

And I'm Mike Lobon. Same time tomorrow, Knucklehead. You can get the podcast on the app or Apple podcast. Emily Fletcher.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Mike did North Diana Lee golf.

[Mike Wilbon]

The Northwestern women's golf team. National champions Baby Cheer that's what I heard.