PTI Podcast Summary: "Paul George Receives 25-Game Suspension"

Date: February 2, 2026
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Network: ESPN

Episode Overview

Tony Kornheiser returns to PTI, joining Michael Wilbon in Washington, D.C., to discuss the latest big stories in sports. This episode’s central theme revolves around the NBA’s 25-game suspension of Paul George, but also covers major topics including Carlos Alcaraz’s landmark win over Novak Djokovic, new NFL head coaching hires, diversity issues in league coaching, and other notable sports moments.

1. Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic — Historical Implications

[01:04–04:58]

The show opens with the Australian Open final, where Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic in four sets, denying Djokovic his 25th Grand Slam.

Key Points:

• This is Djokovic’s first ever loss in an Australian Open final (was 10-0).
• Alcaraz now has all four majors, youngest ever to achieve this, and 7 Grand Slams at age 22.

Historical Perspectives:

• Wilbon:
  • Alcaraz is “the best player now, maybe narrowly over Sinner.”
    -- “Djokovic is the goat ... He out dueled Federer and Nadal in their own time” [01:41–01:59]
  • Credits Djokovic’s longevity and competitiveness even as younger stars rise.
• Tony:
  • Predicts Djokovic will not win another major due to age and the rise of Alcaraz & Sinner. -- “Novak Djokovic is never going to win another major. That’s obvious now.” [02:43]
  • Compares Djokovic’s career phase to Jimmy Connors’ late years—semis/finals still possible, but no more wins.
  • Holds to Rod Laver as his GOAT. -- “You know for me it’s always been Rod Laver ... I might also take Sampras over Djokovic.” [03:33–04:09]

Memorable quote:

• Tony: “Alcaraz ... he’s one behind Connors and Lendl and Agassi and he’s, hello, 22 years old.” [04:09]

Debate:

• Are Alcaraz and Sinner truly generational greats, or simply benefitting from a shallow field now that Djokovic is aging?
  • Tony: “I don’t know that we know how good Sinner and Alcaraz are because Djokovic is still the third best player out there, nobody else is challenging.” [04:09–04:33]

2. NFL: New Head Coaches and Diversity Concerns

[04:58–08:24]

NFL hires:

• Cardinals: Mike LaFleur (Rams OC)
• Raiders: Clint Kubiak (Seahawks OC)

Best Situation?

• Tony: Kubiak (Raiders) has a better opportunity:
  • No. 1 overall draft pick for preferred QB.
  • Tom Brady on staff as mentor, plus a promising tight end (Brock Bowers).
• Wilbon: Agrees, but pivots to a larger issue: zero Black coaches among ten open jobs.
  • “Not giving a damn about these 10 openings ... none of them are African American coaches.” [06:27]
  • Suggests the league culture has regressed and questions Goodell’s leadership on diversity.

Tony’s angle:

• Points out most open jobs are with bad teams.
  • “They are ... entering the league with terrible teams, with the dregs of the league.” [07:32]

Memorable quote:

• Wilbon: “Ten openings right now in this cycle. 0 for 10.” [06:57]

Debate:

• Whether any of the new jobs are truly desirable, and skepticism about the credentials of new, largely untested hires.
  • Wilbon: “LaFleur, he may as well be Guy LaFleur to us. They have no resume yet.” [08:08]

3. NBA: Paul George Suspended 25 Games

[08:41–11:48]

Details:

• Paul George suspended 25 games without pay for anti-drug policy violation; says he took “improper medicine” for mental health.
• Can return on March 25th—only 10 regular season games left for Sixers.

Team Impact & Player Context:

• Wilbon:
  • “...losing a guy who’s just starting to look like Paul George again.” [09:02]
  • Stresses George’s openness on mental health, likens him to Kevin Love as a mental health advocate.
  • Sixers roster implications: reliance on Maxey and Edgecomb increases; George’s absence throws off team chemistry and reduces playoff hopes.
• Tony:
  • “He makes so much money for somebody who doesn’t really have results ... I think he’s a good player and not a great player.” [10:39]
  • Notes the Sixers’ lack of lineup continuity:
    “Their best three players ... have been on the court together this season for 365 minutes out of a total of 2,300.” [11:13]
  • Skeptical of the Sixers’ postseason potential: “I would not bet on the Sixers even in the weak Eastern contest.” [11:42]

Debate:

• Is George simply unlucky or unreliable in big moments?
• Can the Sixers get healthy and maximize their roster? Tony is doubtful.

Quotes & Notable Moments

• Mental Health Advocacy
  Wilbon: “He and Kevin Love ... have said, hey, let's pay more attention to mental health while we have this platform ... And I love both of them for that.” [09:02]

• Stats on Sixers’ ‘Big Three’:
  Tony: “Their best three players ... have been on the court together ... 365 minutes out of 2,300.” [11:13]

4. College Basketball, NHL, and Other Major Sports Stories

[14:30–18:48, 21:24–25:27]

Mailbag Section — Notable Questions

• Biggest College Basketball Win of the Weekend?

  • Wilbon: Illinois’ road win at Nebraska—“Illinois is my sleeper now ... they’re a Final Four team.” [14:41–15:38]
  • Tony confesses he hasn’t watched much basketball due to epic NFL/CFB seasons.

• NHL Outdoor Game Highlights:

  • Praise for the spectacle of the Tampa stadium series game, especially teams arriving in special costumes (Tampa Bay Buccaneers ‘creamsicle’ jerseys, Bruins in colonial attire).
  • Tony: “Mark Messier was out there in Tampa Bay Stadium in a pirate outfit ... I think every year the NHL gets this right.” [18:01]
  • Favorite moment: the goalie fight (Tony), Pasta’s goal off the post (Wilbon).

5. Happy Time & Big Finish

[21:24–25:48]

• Happy Belated 28th Birthday: Jazz Chisholm Jr., 30-30 Yankee player.
• Anniversary: Pete Maravich, first 3,000-point scorer in college basketball—“Greatest ball handler I’ve ever seen.” [23:08]
• Embarrassing Moment: Heavyweight boxer Jarell Miller’s toupee coming off in a fight; Tony and Wilbon, both bald, joke about it.
• MLB Notes: Luisa Rice and Suarez change teams; Suarez expected to thrive in Cincinnati (“65 home runs”—joking, [25:32–25:39]).

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Tennis/Alcaraz–Djokovic: 01:04–04:58
• NFL Coaching News/Diversity: 04:58–08:24
• Paul George Suspension/Sixers: 08:41–11:48
• Mailbag/College Basketball & NHL: 14:30–18:48
• Happy Time/Big Finish: 21:24–25:48

Conclusion

This episode delivers a classic PTI blend—sharp historical perspective, pointed debate, and humor. The hosts question the broader significance of sports news (Djokovic’s legacy, NFL hiring practices, mental health in the NBA), mixing stats with personal reflections and clever banter. The Paul George suspension story is addressed with nuance, both as a team issue for the Sixers and as an opportunity to discuss mental health standards in elite sports.