Are the Pistons a Contender? + New NFL Overtime Rules?

Summary

PTI Podcast Episode Summary

Title: Are the Pistons a Contender? + New NFL Overtime Rules?
Host: Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon
Release Date: February 27, 2025
Duration: 24:27

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1. Detroit Pistons’ Surprising Performance: Rising from the Bottom

The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the Detroit Pistons' unexpected performance this NBA season. Despite being last year's worst team, the Pistons achieved a significant upset by defeating the top-seeded Boston Celtics by 20 points in Detroit. This victory marks the Pistons' eighth consecutive win, their longest streak in 17 years, and a total of 33 wins this season—19 more than the previous year.

Tony Kornheiser raises skepticism about the Pistons' sudden surge:

“They are not contending for anything this year because nobody on that team has ever been in a playoff game from that team.” [02:39]

Mike Wilbon acknowledges the team’s potential but emphasizes the need for playoff performance to truly be considered contenders:

“They are nice. They are nice stories. But you gotta get in the playoffs and get sort of tussled before you can be declared a serious contender.” [03:32]

The hosts agree that while the Pistons exhibit promising elements such as toughness and strong leadership from Cade Cunningham, their true status as contenders remains to be proven on the playoff stage.

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2. NFL’s Overtime Rules Under Scrutiny

Transitioning to football, Kornheiser and Wilbon discuss the NFL's ongoing debate about revising regular season overtime rules. The league had previously shifted from sudden death to a system ensuring both teams possess the ball unless a touchdown is scored on the first possession. However, data suggests that the team winning the coin toss still secures victory more often, albeit the change only marginally altered outcomes.

Tony Kornheiser analyzes the statistical insignificance of the rule change:

“The team that wins when they get the ball first went up to 56.8%. We’re talking about 1.4%. That seems much more random than scientific to me.” [04:55]

Mike Wilbon dismisses the impact, labeling the change as a minor nuisance:

“That number is damn insignificant.” [06:00]

They conclude that the NFL's consideration to revert or modify the overtime rules is unlikely to yield substantial differences in game outcomes.

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3. Baseball’s Future: Automated Strike Zones and Salary Caps

The conversation shifts to baseball, focusing on two major topics: the implementation of automated strike zones and the potential introduction of a salary cap.

Automated Strike Zones: Max Scherzer’s skepticism about the new automated ball-strike system is discussed, with Buster Olney noting that while some players like Scherzer are hesitant, many at the team level are enthusiastic about the technological advancements:

“People absolutely love it. Baseball’s talking about it being in play for 2026.” [12:50]

Salary Cap Discussions: The possibility of introducing a salary cap is examined, highlighting Hal Steinbrenner's openness to the idea, especially to counterbalance teams like the Dodgers. Olney expresses skepticism about its feasibility, citing potential resistance from lower-budget teams:

“There are doubts among other owners whether the cheapest teams will actually lift their spending to make a salary cap work.” [16:05]

Despite the resistance, Olney points out a growing sentiment among players who see a salary cap as a means to distribute payroll more evenly:

“I think among the rank and file of the players, there are more and more players asking the question, look, if a salary cap means more money for more players, why wouldn’t we talk about it?” [15:54]

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4. Memorable Plays: Buzzer-Beaters and Show-Stopping Dunks

The hosts highlight two standout performances from recent basketball games:

• Trey Holland’s Buzzer-Beater: In a College Basketball matchup, Michigan State’s Trey Holland hit a half-court shot to defeat Maryland (8th vs. 16th ranked teams).

• Shaydon Sharp’s Dunk: NBA player Shaydon Sharp secured a victory for Portland with a powerful dunk against the Wizards.

Mike Wilbon emphasizes the significance of these moments:

“Michigan State is a ranked team. It's going into overtime and this guy puts that shot down, okay? This is not some random dunk in the second quarter. This is a game winner.” [09:25]

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5. Historical Reflections and Celebrations

The episode includes a segment celebrating Raymond Berry's 92nd birthday, honoring his legacy as a premier NFL receiver and his contributions both on the field and as a coach.

Additionally, the hosts reflect on the 38th anniversary of the NCAA’s death penalty imposed on SMU football due to severe violations. Tony Kornheiser highlights SMU’s resurgence:

“In its first year in the ACC, SMU just made the college football playoffs and their coach, Rhett Lashley declared this chapter closed.” [20:25]

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6. NFL Draft Insights: Abdul Carter’s Comeback

A significant discussion revolves around Abdul Carter, Penn State’s defensive end, who was recently cleared of a stress reaction in his foot, clearing the way for his participation in the NFL draft. Tony Kornheiser praises Carter's resilience and the optimistic outlook from his agent:

“He will put on a show at his pro day.” [21:40]

Mike Wilbon humorously contemplates drafting Carter, underscoring the importance of his recovery:

“I might take Abdul Carter first if I was drafting. I'm just saying.” [22:15]

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7. Greg Popovich’s Potential Return and Other Sports News

The final segments touch upon Greg Popovich’s uncertain status with the Spurs, golf highlights like Jake Knapp’s impressive 59 at the Cognizant Classic, and the ongoing discussions about banning certain NFL plays despite minimal injuries reported.

Mike Wilbon expresses concern over the Spurs’ situation:

“If Greg Popovich can return at all, great. If he's just, well, great. It's Greg Popovich.” [22:50]

The hosts also briefly touch on the Winnipeg Jets’ chances of maintaining their winning streak and other miscellaneous sports updates.

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Conclusion

Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon provide an insightful and engaging analysis of the day's hottest sports topics, balancing statistical discussions with personal anecdotes and historical context. Their dynamic interaction, punctuated by notable quotes and timely commentary, offers both depth and entertainment, making the episode a valuable listen for sports enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive overview of current events in the sports world.

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Notable Quotes:

• Tony Kornheiser: “The team that wins when they get the ball first went up to 56.8%. We’re talking about 1.4%. That seems much more random than scientific to me.” [04:55]
• Mike Wilbon: “That number is damn insignificant.” [06:00]
• Tony Kornheiser: “They are not contending for anything this year because nobody on that team has ever been in a playoff game from that team.” [02:39]
• Mike Wilbon: “They are nice stories. But you gotta get in the playoffs and get sort of tussled before you can be declared a serious contender.” [03:32]

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Listeners can access the PTI podcast on the ESPN app or Apple Podcasts.

Transcript

[Mike Wilbon]

I don't just stand on business. I live it 24 7. Because you don't become a young entrepreneur by staying stagnant. Whether I'm chasing deals, networking, or taking calls from behind the wheel of my Toyota Crown, I'm always in motion. You may think launching a successful startup is enough to be satisfied, but me, I'm just getting started. It's a new day at Toyota led by a new generation of drivers. And we want you to know one thing. You can't stop my drive. Toyota, let's go places. Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilpontoni. New research says staying busy helps you live longer.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Kornheiser. What about getting busy? Oh, what about getting busy in a Burger King bathroom? What about something like that?

[Mike Wilbon]

Cause if your heart's not good, you're living shorter.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think my heart's okay.

[Mike Wilbon]

All right. I didn't mean you okay specifically.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think my heart's okay. I'm old, but I think my heart's okay. Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, the NFL reconsiders overtime rules. Shady Shar dunks on the Wizards. And Buster Olney joins us for five good minutes. But we begin today with the Detroit Pistons, the worst team in the NBA last year, beating the Boston Celtics, the best team in the NBA last year. The game was in Detroit and the Pistons won by 20 points. The Pistons have now won eight games in a row. It's their longest winning streak in 17 years. They've won 33 games this season already 19 more than all of last season. Wilbon, should we officially upgrade them from a nice story to a contending team?

[Mike Wilbon]

Tony? I don't think so yet. I'm not being a hater because the Pistons over the last week with this winning streak growing, they have led me to text a couple of times, my man, a good friend from Detroit, Vinnie Goodwill, to say, what the hell is this? What is going on with the Pistons? And because this just comes kind of out of nowhere, even though they've been building, even though Cade Cunningham looks like now what is this, his third or fourth season? He, I guess his fourth. He looks like he is ready to be a all NBA performer for a while and he's got that great slower pace of the game and control of the game and I'm looking at it going, you know what, they seem to have a lot of the elements. They have a toughness which you have to have in Detroit, like the Lions, if you're going to reflect what's going on in that community. You ought to have some toughness, physical toughness. And the Pistons seem to have that too. But Tony, they're young. You gotta get in the playoffs and get sort of tussled before you can be declared a serious contender. To me.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, let me be declarative here. They're a nice story.

[Mike Wilbon]

They are nice.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're a nice story. Made nicer by the fact that that's a great franchise and a championship franchise.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay. And they haven't been in the playoffs, I think. What's the number? 2019. That's a long time. They have in my mind one of the two leading candidates for Coach of the Year in J.B. bickerstaff. Ironically, the other one in my mind took J.B. bickerstaff's place in Cleveland. Kenny Atkins. Those will be the top two guys, the Pistons, in the last five years. And I'm going to go with numbers here. They won 20. They won 20. They won 23, 17 and 14. They fired two coaches last year. They tied the all time NBA mark for consecutive losses with 28 in a row. So I don't want to get carried away here. They are a nice story. They're not contending for anything this year because nobody on that team has ever been in a playoff game from that team. Okay.

[Mike Wilbon]

You have to have your heart broken in that league more than any other. You do. Even the great, great players. Okay, so Russell, Magic and Tim Duncan haven't everybody else, including Michael Jordan and LeBron James and Kobe Bryant and Shaq. They've been crushed.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're years away. They're a nice story. Let's be happy. They're years away. Nice story.

[Mike Wilbon]

Gotta get beat up a little bit. Let's move to the NFL, which is once again considering revamping regular season overtime. Back in 2011, the league replaced sudden death with a system in which both teams take a turn on offense unless a touchdown is scored on the first possession. Well, it turns out that that the team that wins the coin flip wins the game even more often. Under this amended system, in the playoffs, both teams are guaranteed a possession. So does reconsidering the regular season system, Tony, make sense to you?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Stay with me. I'm going to give you a bunch of numbers here, okay? From 2001 to 2011, that's 10 years, the percentage of teams that won it on the first possession was 55.4%. Then in 2011, they changed the rule to reflect what you just said. You can't win it on a field goal. Okay? You gotta drive the length of the field, you gotta do a touchdown. And so after that, from 2017 through 2024, that's eight full seasons.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The team that wins when they get the ball first went up to 56.8%. Mike, we're talking about 1.4%. That seems much more random than scientific to me. If you told me it went up 15%, I would have said, okay, change the rule. But I don't think 1.4% makes that compelling at all. I mean, I just. Last year, 16 overtime games, only six went to the team that got the ball first. That's only 38%. So I don't think you have to do it.

[Mike Wilbon]

So it's more than random. It's insignificant. They're being a nuisance and I'm going to go off here into a reason I'm sure you don't consider. The NFL just wants to be in your thoughts every day. They want to be on all these programs every day? Yes, They're a nuisance just like every other professional sport. They want to dominate your time and be inside your head and be on every show starting with get up at 8:00 Eastern Time. That's what the NFL wants.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're in your head.

[Mike Wilbon]

That number is damn insignificant.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's what I thought.

[Mike Wilbon]

And so I pay no attention to nonsense like this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let me just say this nonsense. Is it fair that both teams get a possession in the regular season like they are guaranteed in the playoffs? Yes, it's fair. But is it compelling enough? No. Because I would say. And you would say the same thing and I know you will agree with me, we'll go old school. Should you be rewarded because your defense allowed the team to go 80 yards and score a touchdown? Should you be bailed out because of your lousy defense? And the answer is no?

[Mike Wilbon]

No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The answer is no.

[Mike Wilbon]

But Tony, the fact that they're going to make all this big deal over that statistical measure.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[Mike Wilbon]

Don't you get resent. Aren't you resentful of that?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No. You know what? I do. I admire a business that knows what it's doing. I admire that we move to baseball and the first of our video daily doubles. Colorado Rockies have a pitcher in camp named Jeffrey Yan, who has a unique way of celebrating a strikeout. Yan did it three times in a spring training game yesterday, including once after a robo review gave him a strikeout. Jan jumps into the air, comes down in a split and pumps his left arm declaratively Wilbon, do you think Yan will have to change his strikeout celebration if he makes the bigs?

[Mike Wilbon]

I think so. I think so. Although the thing that would make you change most quickly is if you had to go to the plate.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

And somebody Bob Gibson ed you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

Somebody just looked at you as was the case with the great Bob Gibson and you knew you were gonna get drilled or get back in the dust trying to prevent getting drilled so he doesn't have to hit. So I don't know, maybe he goes a long time, maybe somebody starts a fight in the clubhouse, maybe there's a trade and a guy who comes over who he embarrassed takes a swing at him in the clubhouse. I don't like this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I heard about this this morning and when I saw it, it was not as taunting as I thought it would be.

[Mike Wilbon]

This is a nuisance.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But do I think he's going to have to change it? Here's why he's going to have to change it. Cuz the first batter the Colorado Rockies send up in the next half of the inning is going down in a heat. Okay, Going to go down.

[Mike Wilbon]

So your teammates say, we're not having that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This guy doesn't have to worry. He doesn't bat. Okay. He's never going to get up. He's a left hander, reliever. He wouldn't have even gotten up before the dh.

[Mike Wilbon]

Not recently.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But when a teammate gets drilled, the teammate is going to go to him and say, Mr. Yan, do me a favor, do me a favor, back off for this for a while. And by a while I mean as long as I'm here, just stop it. And that's what's going to happen.

[Mike Wilbon]

We're going to watch. We have two terrific plays to consider from last night. Tone. In college basketball, 8th ranked Michigan State's Trey Holland beat 16th ranked Maryland here in College park on a half court shot at the buzzer. And in the NBA, Portland Shaydon Sharp picks off a pass, throws down that enormous dunk in a win over your Wizard. Look, that's Julius. Like in a impromptu toss up, Tony better highlight Holloman's buzzer beater or Sharp's dunk.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The dunk is a fine dunk. It's a strenuous, it's a big strong dunk and everybody should see it. It had no effect on the game. Had no effect on the game. Shane Sharp's team was playing the Wizards who were an abomination this year and the Wizards would have lost that game. Without that dunk, they would have lost it without sharp play, okay? Because they lose every game. The other shot won a game.

[Mike Wilbon]

What a game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay? Michigan State is a ranked team. It's 55, 50, it's going into overtime and this guy puts that shot down, okay? This is not some random dunk in the second quarter. This is a game winner. This is going to be one of the greatest plays ever at Michigan State in history. And they got a long history.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's just it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, so this is. If you live in dc, this is like earlier this year, Jaden Daniels throwing a hail Mary. It was a big deal.

[Mike Wilbon]

Not like that, but I know where you Washingtonians are coming from. This was a scream out loud moment. You watching Tony's?

[Tony Kornheiser]

We watching Tony's.

[Mike Wilbon]

I keep my TV on the Big Ten network all day and all night, at least one of them. So I can see stuff that happens in Big Ten games. And when that happens, at first I'm thinking, is that from some time gone by or do I need to turn the sound up right now? And then you realize, oh my God, this just happened.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The last time this happened with Michigan State was 2010. Draymond Green was on the team.

[Mike Wilbon]

Wow.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's the last time it happened. Let's take a break, Coach Izzo. Coming up, does baseball feel good about its spring training experiment with automated balls and strikes? We are going to ask Buster Olney.

[Mike Wilbon]

We'll also ask him whether the Dodgers success could spur a salary cap.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm not knocking the dunk. It's a lovely dunk. Yeah, the second quarter dunk against a bad team. This other thing wins a game.

[Mike Wilbon]

It was a great dunk, but it had no. Nothing meaning. No, there's no meaning.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not in the context.

[Mike Wilbon]

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[Buster Olney]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

We have some big baseball questions to put to our great friend ESPN Sunday night baseball reporter and senior writer Buster Only who can do two things that Wilbon and I cannot do. He can milk a cow and he can make a bagel. Let's start with this.

[Mike Wilbon]

I can toast a bagel.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No. Toast a bagel. No. He can make the bagel.

[Mike Wilbon]

Oh yeah. Slight difference.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Warrior guard Max Scherzer is skeptical of the automatic ball strike appeal system being tested, as you know, in spring training. What reaction have you been hearing to this?

[Dell Technologies]

So Max Scherzer is a future hall of Famer and I think in this case his opinion is in the minority. People that I've talked to at the team level love this because they love the idea that egregious calls can be corrected much as they have in tennis for so many years using electronics. You know, each team has to come up with their own rules and their own culture about who can challenge. Vinnie Pasquintino, the first baseman for the Royals, for example, half jokingly said no pitcher should be allowed to challenge ever because they think everything is a strike. But I think people absolutely love it. Baseball's talking about it being in play for 2026. I've had people tell me they wish baseball would use it this year.

[Mike Wilbon]

Ooh, ooh, that could be sort of dicey. Justin Verlander, speaking of pitchers going to the hall of Fame, told Bob Nightingale that baseball needs to do something to revive starting pitching. Buster, I love Verlander for, for being out there with this position, but I also get the feeling that baseball is not even paying attention. Am I wrong?

[Dell Technologies]

You are to a certain degree, Michael. It's been something that's talked about in front offices at Major League Baseball that they really do feel like they need to restore the preeminence of starting pitchers who for years were the Hulk Hogans of the sport. You know, everyone would get excited about a Roger Clemens vs. Pedro Martinez game. And with starting pitchers throwing fewer innings and relief pitchers, these parade of relievers, them throwing more, it really has changed the product. Baseball right now is looking for ways to augment the offense and to get away from all the relievers who are throwing hard and more effective than ever. That would be important. But I think in terms of on the list of priorities for what baseball wants to get done, it's Further down.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, that's what. See, see, see when Buster tells us that this is significant. All right, I'll move off that issue, which I could talk to you about all day. The Dodgers are so loaded that, of course, as you know, Hal Steinbrenner has said he's open to a salary cap with a floor. Buster, do you see a salary cap in baseball's future?

[Dell Technologies]

So in the time I've covered baseball, I've never thought. Thought that it was closer than it is right now. This is something that the owners are going to push for in the next labor negotiations. And the union will, as it always has, out of principle, say, we're never going to allow a salary cap. But here's the thing. I think among the rank and file of the players, there are more and more players asking the question, look, if a salary cap means more money for more players, why wouldn't we talk about it? This actually reminds me a little bit of the steroid issue. Back in 2000, 2001, the union leadership was saying, we'll never have drug testing out of principle privacy rights. And the rank and file players, what you heard from them was, no, we want drug testing. We don't want to have to be faced with a choice of taking steroids. I think there are a lot of players who want to hear what a salary cap would look like.

[Mike Wilbon]

Just to follow real quickly, but this seems so aimed at solely the Dodgers. Can it survive? With that appearing to be the agenda?

[Dell Technologies]

I think that, I mean, the big question is how many teams will get behind it? And one of the interesting questions is going to be, will teams that just simply haven't spent clubs like the Marlins, would they agree to, let's face it, a cap and floor system where they would have to be spending up to $100 million, $120 million. There are doubts among other owners whether the cheapest teams will actually lift their spending to make a salary cap work.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, it's the floor.

[Mike Wilbon]

Great.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The floor is their issue. Yeah, floor is there. All right, we get you out here on this. On the Red Sox, Rafael Des does not want to move from third base to make way for Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman. How is team handling this?

[Dell Technologies]

Well, they're slow playing it. They're not saying flat out that Rafael Des is going to be the dh, but I think in the end, their manager, Alex Cora, he's going to put the best team on the field. And I think the Red Sox hope is Christian Campbell, this tremendous young rookie will come in and play great at second base in spring training. I asked Alex recently, hey, who does he remind you of physically? And he actually said Jaylen Brown of the Celtics. Because he's so big, six foot three, there's a lot of hope for the type of offensive player he's going to be. So if he comes in, has a great spring training, establishes himself at second base, you got the best third baseman in the world, Alex Bredman, who can man that spot. And you'll tell Devers, at least for this year, this is our best team. I think that's going to be the opening day lineup for Boston.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Love to see that conversation, wouldn't you? Thank you, Buster.

[Mike Wilbon]

Thanks, Buster. Appreciate it.

[Dell Technologies]

Thanks guys.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take one last break. Still to come, some good medical news for the potential first pick in the.

[Mike Wilbon]

NFL draft and the development in the push to ban the push. Yeah, brotherly shove.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I think, I think Buster's completely right. I think that the you think most ownership would want it to combat the Dodgers.

[Buster Olney]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time people. Happy 92nd birthday. Raymond Berry wow. History lesson, kids. Berry was the premier receiver on the great Baltimore Colts teams of the 1950s and 60s. Johnny Unitis to Raymond Berry is one of the greatest passing combinations in NFL history. In the 1958 NFL Championship Game, the greatest game ever played, Barry caught 12 passes from United for 178 yards and a touchdown in Baltimore's overtime win. When he retired, Berry was the all time NFL leader in both receptions and receiving yards. He was of course in the hall of Fame. Later in his career, Berry coached the New England Patriots. Berry was the coach of the AFC champion Patriots who lost to your super bowl shuffle bears in 1986.

[Mike Wilbon]

I remember it well. Other top, the top combinations, quarterback to receiver, passing. I'm going young to Rice and then I'm going Montana to Rice. That's just me. And I don't want to ignore Peyton Mannings and Marvin Harrison or Troy Aikman and Michael Irving. Don't want to ignore any of those great great combinations.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hatel to Allworth. It's a long time great too. Not so Happy anniversary Southern Methodist University football. On this day 38 years ago, the NCAA canceled SMU's entire 1987 football schedule for gross violations of NCAA rules regarding athletic corruption. This was the death penalty. Now it's legal to pay players. Then it wasn't. SMU was found to have given some of its players approximately $61,000 from 1985 to 1986, when that was a lot of money, kids. It later emerged that SMU had been keeping a slush fund to pay players as early as the mid-70s. SMU canceled its 1988 season as well and found the road back very bumpy. Things are rosier now, though. In its first year in the acc, SMU just made the college football playoffs and their coach, Rhett Lashley declared this chapter closed.

[Mike Wilbon]

The first game back from that death penalty, they lost 35,6 to rice. I covered that game at Washington Post. You think you'd like to give some nil money if you had some to Eric Dickerson and Craig James of Pony Express? You think they could make a little bit of money at SMU now?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

Huh?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

That North Texas nil stash. Oh, sure. Born too soon.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy trails to foot surgery for Abdul Carter, Penn State's standout defensive end was cleared by doctors this morning for his March 28 pro day. Until he got that positive news, Carter had been considering having an operation to address a stress reaction in his right foot, which would have put him out at least two months and possibly created enough concern for teams to drop him from the top of their draft boards. Now, Carter's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said, quote, I couldn't be more confident that this will be a non factor where he's drafted. He will put on a show at his pro day, unquote.

[Mike Wilbon]

I might take A kid wearing them. Number 12 in a uniform in Colorado who can play a couple of positions. I might take him over. Mr. Carter first. If I was drafting. I'm just saying.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But will you concede this, that if Drew Rosenhaus is the agent, it's the best quote in the business? Drew Rosenhaus is always going to tell you, oh, there's no problem here.

[Mike Wilbon]

No problem.

[Tony Kornheiser]

My guy, he's going to go, no.

[Mike Wilbon]

Your guy has a problem, not my guy.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's what's so great. All right, let's go to the big finish.

[Mike Wilbon]

Let's do it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Greg Popovich addressed Spurs players today for the first time. He told them he won't be returning this season. Your thoughts, Tony?

[Mike Wilbon]

If Greg Popovich can return at all, great. If he's just, well, great. It's Greg Popovich. He had a stroke in the fall. Just wishing Pop, well. Jake Knapp shot an opening round 59 at the Cognizant Classic. I know you're impressed with it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's a 59. Okay. It's 12 under. It's par 71, my friend. DG was there. He followed it. He said there was no wind.

[Mike Wilbon]

Said there was no wind. It's still, but it's usually windy there.

[Tony Kornheiser]

NFL exec Troy Vincent said the league has found zero injuries on tush push plays during 2024. What does that mean?

[Mike Wilbon]

Gotta find another excuse to ban it. You can't.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You cannot ban it. No.

[Mike Wilbon]

Japan beat the US women 2. 1 won the she believes Cup. You surprised?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm surprised. Are you not surprised? I'm surprised because they're the hip opponent. Had not lost a game as coach of this team.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's number eight in the world ranking. It's not Columbia.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Where are we? Are we won two? Something like that last one. The league leading Winnipeg jets go for their 12th win in a row tonight. Do you like their chance?

[Mike Wilbon]

They beat Ottawa last night. Then I got a back to back in Nashville tonight. But they're only 1 and 4. In fact, so upset is possible.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's all they are.

[Mike Wilbon]

Streak buster.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Back to back. Do they do load matches in that league? Back to back. We're out of time. We're trying to be better than next time. And I'm Tony Kornheiser.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm Mike Lobon. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads. You can get the PTI podcast on the ESPN app or Apple Podcast. No load management.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No load management in that league again. These are new glasses. What do you think? Oh, this is the third day I'm wearing. What do you think?

[Mike Wilbon]

I thought you got a second pair that weren't.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I haven't worn them yet.

[Mike Wilbon]

Can we get the debut in a second pair next week?

[Buster Olney]

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