Reflecting on the Knicks Championship Run

Summary

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PTI — Reflecting on the Knicks Championship Run

Hosts: Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon
Air Date: June 15, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon break down the New York Knicks’ remarkable NBA championship run, celebrating their comeback wins, the impact of Jalen Brunson, and what the victory means for the franchise’s future. The duo also discusses the San Antonio Spurs’ collapse, the lessons for Victor Wembanyama, and San Antonio’s championship prospects. The episode then touches on the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup win, the US Men’s Soccer victory over Paraguay, breakout MLB storylines, and wraps with quick hits from the sports world.

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Main Topic: Knicks' NBA Championship Run

Knicks Win 2026 NBA Title: Reaction & Significance

• [00:55] Tony Kornheiser introduces the main segment by setting the stage: the Knicks closed out the championship in five games over the Spurs, rallying from double-digit deficits repeatedly. Jalen Brunson scored 45 in the decisive Game 5, with 15 points in the fourth quarter.
• Wilbon’s Reaction ([01:32]):
  • “They've done it so many times… Even in the game they lost… I’m fully expecting… The Knicks have a veteran nature about them.”
  • Underscores the team’s resilience and experience, noting how many players and even coach were previously “cast offs.”
  • Praises Jalen Brunson’s leadership:
    • “He’s a leader. There’s a toughness about him… A winner in college at Villanova, and now he’s a winner in the NBA.”
• Kornheiser on the Knicks’ Playoff Fortitude ([02:39]):
  • Knicks finished the playoffs 16-3, a remarkable record.
  • Stat: in 5 first quarters vs. Spurs, Knicks were -57.
    • “They're always playing from behind. They're very good at playing from behind.”
  • In decisive fourth quarters, Brunson was +32 (highest on the court); Wembanyama was -25.
  • “The Knicks got better as the playoffs went on.”
• Historical Context ([03:53]):
  • Kornheiser tempers enthusiasm: “I honestly don't think that's a dynasty that we're looking at.”
  • Significant for the franchise:
    • Before Brunson, Knicks had 1 playoff series win in 21 years. Since his arrival: at least one in each of three seasons, now a title.
    • “It's almost immeasurable what he means as a leader.”

Notable Quotes

• Kornheiser ([03:53]):
  • “Don’t let me get carried away because I honestly don't think that's a dynasty that we're looking at. I think it's a very good team that got better when it had to, but it's not necessarily a dynasty.”
• Wilbon ([04:43]):
  • “They were an appealing team on a thousand levels. They were great visually, collectively.”

Comparisons and Luck

• Wilbon ([04:43]):
  • Draws a parallel to 1970 and 1973 Knicks as “an ensemble. They needed all of them.”
• Kornheiser ([05:00]):
  • Notes the Knicks avoided facing Oklahoma City.
  • “There are not that many teams that are going to let you off the hook when they're up 20 on you.”

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Spurs' Collapse & San Antonio’s Future

Spurs’ Inexperience Exposed ([05:09])

• Kornheiser:
  • Despite “an abundance of talent,” San Antonio’s youth and inexperience “betrayed them in the end.”
  • Spurs gave up double-digit leads in every game, often losing them at home.
  • “In the last two minutes of every game in this series, the Spurs were either tied for the lead or in the lead. And they lost four of them and they lost three of them at home.”
• Victor Wembanyama’s Response:
  • Kornheiser:
    • “Victor Wembanyama… had all the right things to say. He said, ‘It's my fault, here's how I'm going to get better. And now we're going to win.’”
    • Questions the coach’s future: “It's easier to get rid of a coach than a star player… he's on the clock at this point.”
• Wilbon ([06:41]):
  • “They didn't know enough. Their coach didn't know enough. That's indisputable. Their players didn't have it in them enough.”
  • Comforts Spurs fans with a Gretzky/Islanders reference: early struggle is foundational for future wins.
• Learning the Hard Lessons:
  • The Knicks played like veterans; the Spurs made “the wrong shots, the wrong passes, the wrong inbounds plays.”
  • Wilbon predicts Spurs will “win multiple championships”—just not this year.

Notable Quotes

• Wilbon ([06:41]):
  • “Their coach didn’t know enough. That’s indisputable. Their players didn’t have it in them enough… But this is their future. They’re going to win multiple championships. They are.”
• Kornheiser ([08:07]):
  • “Most of this seems to be landing on De’Aaron Fox, who I don’t think will be with the team next year. But this is about Wembanyama… Stop taking all these threes. You gotta score at the end of the game and you gotta stop getting flagrant fouls. Then you’re 22. It’s doable.”

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Other Sports Headlines

Stanley Cup: Carolina Hurricanes Win Second Title

• [08:46] Segment shifts to hockey: Hurricanes beat Vegas Golden Knights, winning their second Stanley Cup and ending a 20-year drought.
• Wilbon ([09:06]) on goaltender Bussey:
  • “A 27-year-old rookie… They go to him as, sort of a, let’s give our guy a break. But Bussey changed this thing when they needed to.”
  • Bussey’s shutout in the deciding game was historic—first rookie in 89 years to do so.
• Kornheiser ([10:13]):
  • “They picked him up for depth, not to be a starter… He pitched a shutout in the deciding game… 89 years ago.”
  • Calls Carolina’s run consistent and steady, referencing their 16–3 playoff record (second best ever in NHL).

Other Noteworthy Storylines ([11:13]):

• Rod Brind’Amour: wins Cup with franchise as player and coach (last achieved 70 years ago).
• Jordan Staal: becomes oldest Con Smythe winner, 17 years between his two Cups.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Kornheiser ([10:13]):
  • “He pitched a shutout in the deciding game of the Stanley Cup final. You know the last time that happened… 89 years ago.”
• Wilbon ([11:31]):
  • “Brindamore was the captain of the last team that they had… playing and coaching on the same franchise, that was 70 years ago.”

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World Cup, MLB, and More: Quick Takes

US Men’s Soccer Beats Paraguay ([14:01])

• Wilbon:
  • “No, not in my case, Tony… Impressive and that’s good… But that still doesn’t do anything for you in the terms of the knockout round… We are not in that top 12–14.”
• Kornheiser:
  • Relays a story from “George at the shack”—claims the first half was the best in US Soccer history, but remains cautious about expectations.

Notable Quotes

• Kornheiser ([15:56]):
  • “Maybe, indeed, maybe you want to have some hope here, don’t you?”
• Wilbon ([15:57]):
  • “Hope would be good. Expectations… That’s a little early for that, isn’t it?”

MLB: Vegas Run Fest, White Sox, and Minor League Mayhem ([16:35])

• Colorado Rockies scored 23 runs on the A’s in Vegas—teams combined for 102 runs in 6 games at this minor-league park.
• “This is ridiculous… Stop the madness. They shouldn’t be playing there.” (Kornheiser, [17:33])
• White Sox unexpectedly hot, but Wilbon trashes their new jerseys and jokes about hiding his fandom at games.

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Quick Hits & Memorable Moments

• Wilbon takes pride in Jalen Brunson: “Jalen Brunson delivered New York, a Chicago winner.” ([12:21])
• Light banter about team allegiances: “Why is that meaningless to you? Cause it’s not Chicago.” ([12:36])
• Nostalgic exchanges about Chicago sports (“I’ve learned everything about Chicago from you.” [19:08])
• Touching on the rarity of the Astrodome’s rainout and Wade Boggs’ mythical beer feats ([19:55]).
• Ending: Bulls hiring Thiago Splitter as head coach; Giannis to Miami speculation ([23:10]).

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Timestamps of Major Segments

• [00:55] – Knicks win and championship reaction
• [01:32] – Wilbon’s Knicks analysis and Brunson praise
• [02:39] – Kornheiser on Knicks’ resilience and stats
• [03:53] – Legacy and dynasty talk
• [05:09] – Spurs’ future and what went wrong
• [06:41] – Wilbon: young teams don’t win yet
• [08:46] – NHL: Hurricanes win Stanley Cup
• [14:01] – US Men’s Soccer World Cup discussion
• [16:35] – MLB craziness (Vegas, White Sox)
• [19:55] – Rapid-fire: Wade Boggs, Astrodome, golf, and coaching moves

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Tone and Style

Throughout, Tony maintains a skeptical, data-driven tone while Wilbon brings vivid, emotional, and sometimes hometown-centric passion (“It’s not Chicago!”). They poke fun at each other’s allegiances, blend in personal anecdotes, and keep the banter lively and insightful.

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Memorable Quotes

• “He’s a winner in college at Villanova, and now he’s a winner in the NBA.” — Mike Wilbon ([01:32])
• “Stop taking all these threes. You gotta score at the end of the game and you gotta stop getting flagrant fouls. Then you’re 22. It’s doable.” — Tony Kornheiser ([08:07])
• “This is ridiculous… Stop the madness. They shouldn’t be playing there.” — Tony Kornheiser ([17:33])

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Summary

This PTI episode covers the Knicks' emotionally-charged championship run, the instructive Spurs collapse, and meaningful lessons for both victors and runners-up. The hosts also shine a light on historic moments from the Stanley Cup, tepid hope for US Men’s Soccer, and baseball absurdities, all delivered with the trademark wit and spirited debate PTI fans cherish.

Transcript

[A]

MLB TV on ESPN is your home for every out of market game, live or on demand. Catch your favorite teams and players plus MLB Network and ESPN app features like multi view, syncing your stats, key plays, bets and fantasy all in one place. Sign up now for MLB TV in the ESPN app. Separate subscriptions required. Blackouts and other terms apply. Visit stream.espn.commlbtv for more information.

[B]

Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Lobon. It's National Electricity Day, Tony. How you celebrate?

[C]

I'm Tony Kornheiser by lighting up the lives of our viewers. Oh nice.

[B]

What do you think Lee Smith would think of that answer about electricity in

[C]

your building means you got electricity in your building. No, I don't think. I don't know.

[B]

That might be the best response of all time.

[C]

Do you feel dejected?

[B]

Do you want to do that on the air?

[C]

I don't think so. Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, the Hurricanes win the Stanley cup, the US Men beat Paraguay and Spain gets shocked, the World cup shocked. But we begin today with the NBA championship, which was settled on Saturday when the Knicks won their third game of the series in San Antonio and came back from yet another double digit deficit and closed out the championship in five games. Jalen Brunson scored 45 points for the Knicks 15 in the fourth quarter and once again the spurs froze when it counted most. Wilbon what was your reaction to what the Knicks did, how they did it and what it means?

[B]

TOM They've done it so many times and I'd sat there and seen it in person the previous four times, even in the game they lost. So by the time we get to game five, I'm fully expecting like there's I'm not going to say there's no lead that the spurs can't hold on to, but it wasn't going to be 14 or 15 that that wasn't it. And then you knew the Knicks have a veteran nature about them. All of them, they've been through this. They've won to a point. They those guys hadn't won. A couple have been in the finals. Mikhail Bridges have been in the finals. You know, Karl Anthony Towns has been in a conference final. JALEN brunson, Conference final, But they were cast offs, their coach cast off. They knew what it was like to scrap and be disappointed and come back and win. And so I'm expecting, yes, this is what the Knicks are made of. And Jalen Brunson particularly, man, he he's a leader. There's a toughness about him. Everything built to this. He's a winner in college at Villanova, and now he's a winner in the NBA. I mean, it's an amazing career he's having for somebody who was a second round draft choice and not thought highly enough of no.

[C]

And everything you're saying is right. The Knicks finished the playoffs 16, 3. That's very impressive. They came back in every game against the Spurs. Here is a small statistic that I find meaningful. In the first quarters of all five games added up against the spurs, they were minus 57 a lot in the first. So they're always playing from behind. Yeah, they're very good at playing from behind. I've got some numbers that I think you're going to like in. In the fourth quarter of game four, in the fourth quarter of game five, both won by the Knicks, both comebacks because the Knicks came back all the time. Jalen Brunson was plus 32. That's the highest plus minus differential of any player on the court. Victor Wembanyama was minus 25. That's the highest in terms of lowness of differential in there. The Knicks got better as the playoffs went on. The Knicks in the last three series only lost one game after being down

[B]

2:1 in the first season.

[C]

You sat here and you called the Eastern Conference final the junior varsity.

[B]

I did.

[C]

But the Knicks didn't look like a JV team against the Spurs. Now, what does it mean? I'm a Knicks fan. Don't let me get carried away because I honestly don't think that that's a dynasty that we're looking at.

[B]

Right.

[C]

I think it's a very good team that got better when it had to, but it's not necessarily a dynasty. This is a statistic that's meaningful to me and it's about Jalen Brunson, who I know you love. Before he arrived at the Knicks, the Knicks had won one playoff series in the last 21 seasons. That's sort of amazing since his arrival. The first three seasons, they won at least one playoff series and now he won a championship. So it's almost immeasurable what he means as a leader. And the other thing that interested me was the ratings. The ratings were enormous. If a New York team is good, if they're good, they bring these numbers again. I don't want to get carried away because I don't think we're looking at a dynasty here.

[B]

But.

[C]

But they played great down the stretch.

[B]

They were an appealing team on a thousand levels. They were great visually, collectively I know you don't like to compare them to the 70 and 73 teams. I'll just compare them in this one way. It was an ensemble. They needed all of them.

[C]

Yes, yes, yes.

[B]

Brunson is the best player, but they

[C]

also got lucky in this regard.

[B]

They didn't have to play OKC other.

[C]

Well, forget that. There are not that many teams that are going to let you off the hook when they're up 20 on you.

[B]

That's right.

[C]

And this happened repeatedly.

[B]

We're going to get to that like right now because we're going to move to San Antonio side of things. The spurs abundance of talent got them within reach of a title way ahead of schedule according to most of us. But their youth and inexperience betrayed them in the end. Tone, what do you see in the spurs immediate and long term future?

[C]

Okay, I see championships. I do. I think there are lessons to be learned here and I think they're going to learn them. But there is a hard reality to face in the aftermath. They let leads slip away in double digit leads in every single game they won one of, but it slipped away in that game.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

According to what I heard this morning, in the last two minutes of every game in this series, the spurs were either tied for the lead or in the lead. And they lost four of them and they lost three of them at home. This left Victor Wembanyama muttering to anybody who would listen at that point. I mean, look, the players froze and the coach froze and it's easier to get rid of a coach than a star player.

[B]

Would you do that?

[C]

No, but I'm. But he's on the clock.

[B]

Okay?

[C]

He's on the clock at this point. Victor Wembanyama, he had all the right things to say all the time. He said, it's my fault, here's how I'm going to get better. And now we're going to win. But they didn't win next year. Okay, but now they didn't win. And Mike, it was there for the taking. They had more regular season victories than the Knicks. They came to the harder conference than the Knicks. They could have and I believe some people would say should have won this.

[B]

They shouldn't have won. And I told you all year, they shouldn't have won. I told you all year none of these teams win. If it ain't Bill Russell's team or Magic Johnson's team, they're not winning. They're not winning out of the gate. I've been saying this and saying it and saying it and Saying it. So I'll say it again. They didn't know enough. Their coach didn't know enough. That's indisputable. Their players didn't have it in them enough. They did the wrong things. They took the wrong shots, they made the wrong passes, they made the wrong inbounds plays. It's their future. They're going to win multiple champions. They are. And when Bunyan was going to be. You know, I'm going to go back to something for a second. So Wayne Gretzky, before he won his first championship, he got swept.

[C]

You know what?

[B]

He got swept by the New York Islanders.

[C]

Okay?

[B]

He got swept. And Gretzky used that. He's told the story a lot. You know, I get to be around Gretzky in a room every now and then, and Gretzky's talked about the feeling he had. He got swept. Boom. Get out. Right. Mike Bossi and those teams, well, they won four championships. Yes, they did.

[C]

Okay, but they were. You were not being swept by a team that returned to the side of the road. No, no, no.

[B]

That's right. No. A big time team, important team. Historically.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

But Wayne Gretzky remembered that and he used it. And he used it over and over, just like the spurs did in 13 when they lost that game to Ray Allen on the jumper, to LeBron. And they came back with a vengeance the next year. And they were not to be stopped.

[C]

Most of this seems to be landing on de' Aaron Fox, who I don't think will be with the team next year. I think that's possible, but that's okay. But this is about wembanyama, and I don't think you'll disagree with this. You gotta take. Stop taking all these threes. Yeah. You gotta score at the end of the game and you gotta stop getting flagrant fouls. Then you're 22. It's doable.

[B]

How do you come up.

[C]

It's doable.

[B]

You learn it.

[C]

Yeah. Okay.

[B]

When he says this is the learning experience, he's not wrong. But this is a learning experience.

[C]

That whole organization has to sit down and tell him.

[B]

And they got the people there to do it. They do.

[C]

They should have stopped this one.

[B]

Tone.

[C]

I know. I know what you're doing. You look like you know what you're

[B]

talking about too young. Yeah.

[C]

Let's go to the NHL Championship, which was settled on Sunday. The Carolina Hurricanes continued their road mastery 8 and 1 on the road in these playoffs. They beat the Las Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas 3 nothing to win the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes ended a 20 year drought with this one, their second cup ever. Wilbon, what is the word you would use to describe Carolina's accomplishment?

[B]

Bussy. I am, because, I mean we know that goaltending goalkeepers, they can, they can define an entire postseason. And that's not what Bussey did. No, but he changed this series. Yes, he's. Here's a guy, a 27 year old rookie who comes to the team, had a really nice regular season, something like 36 and 2. 36, 2 is his record in regular season. Something like that. And Bussy, they go to him as sort of a. Let's give our guy a break. A goaltender they really, really liking. Anderson, they really respect him. They handed him the cup like second. But Bussy changed this thing when they needed to last night. Tony, he made a couple of saves. It's one nothing at the end of the first and there's a, there's a play. He's just going to get beaten. It's going to be 1 1, except he makes this tremendous save to keep the 1 nothing lead. And at 2 nothing, he makes a save and a save. On the rebound when sprawled. It's busted.

[C]

Yeah, he's an unknown guy. They picked him up for depth, not

[B]

to be a starter. How about that?

[C]

Yeah, he pitched a shutout in the deciding game of the Stanley cup final. You know the last time that happened that a rookie pitched a shutout in the decided game. How does 89 years ago strike you?

[B]

89 years ago, it's almost never.

[C]

The word that I would use is consistency. Everybody raved about the Western Conference all season. Justifiably Colorado won the President's Trophy. And then when Vegas swept Colorado in the playoffs, everybody got on Vegas. They seem to forget that Carolina, I believe had this, had the second most points in the regular season. But they had Mitch Marner, they had Eichel, they had big stars, they had Tortorella, who was a magician. He turned the whole thing around with like no time to go.

[B]

And by the way, Vegas won a series once like this where they switched, they went to the goaltender.

[C]

So Carolina just kept showing up and plugging and winning and stuff like that. And Carolina, what were they? Oh, they had a 163 record, which in hockey is the second greatest ever. So the only Knicks, by the way, right?

[B]

16:3.

[C]

Yeah, but in basketball it happens more often. In hockey, this was the second greatest ever. So the only real question to deal with now is who's going to send back Tortorella's clothes from the hotel in Raleigh. I mean. That's right. That seems to be a big deal. There are three great stories on Carolina. One is Bussey. The second one is Brindamore.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Brindamore was the captain of the last team that they had that, as we

[B]

like to say in Chicago.

[C]

So the last time someone had a Stanley cup ring for playing and for coaching on the same franchise. That was 70 years ago.

[B]

Toe Blake.

[C]

Yeah, 70 years ago. And the other great story is Jordan Stahl, who became the oldest guy ever to win the Con Smythe. And he had won a cup with Pittsburgh in 2009. And that 17 year expanse between cups,

[B]

the longest of all time.

[C]

Yeah, of all time. Yeah.

[B]

But you know what? All that stuff's nice without Bussy.

[C]

That's right.

[B]

I don't know that they can survive that.

[C]

By the way, he's not from Chicago, is he?

[A]

No.

[C]

You know where he's from. Thank you, Long Island. Let's take a break. Coming up, did the US Men's big win over Paraguay increase the expectations for this team?

[B]

You know who is from Chicago? Jalen Brunson. Was the Mrs. 15 strikeout masterpiece the highlight of the baseball weekend? No. Jalen Brunson delivered New York, a Chicago winner.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Very proud of that.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Very happy about that.

[C]

Yeah. Well, a Long island guy delivered for Carolina.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Why is that meaningless to you? Cause it's not Chicago.

[B]

Right.

[C]

It's not Chicago.

[B]

By the way, the Eastern Conference was the jv, Knicks, Cleveland. That was the JV series.

[C]

Not now.

[D]

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[C]

Time to find out what's baffling the riff raff at mail time. I will get the first one. Put on my glasses to read it. Here we go.

[B]

Harsh.

[C]

Did the USA's big win over Paraguay. Paraguay raise your expectations for this team?

[B]

No, not. Not in my case, Tony. I mean, I. I understand Paraguay had a nice run to qualify and everybody, you know, talked about how well they played and how that first game was supposed to be, you know, pretty tight match. It was not. We ran over them. The US Was better in every conceivable way than Paraguay, and that's impressive and that's good. And it might have been, even if it is the greatest performance the United States has ever had in a World cup match, that still doesn't do anything for you in the terms of the knockout round, even if it helps us get through group. And it should help us get through group. And Turkey didn't look all that good. I don't know where Australia is, but you still got to deal with a lot of great teams and highly ranked teams. And you're still going to have to get through France and England and Germany and I don't know what Spain's doing so far or Brazil, but. But maybe one of them, or both. There are too many great teams in the world and we are not in that top 12 to 14. So raise my expectations yet after one game. Not me. Okay.

[C]

As you know, I don't know anything about soccer, so I'm going to just tell you a true story. Okay. I was playing golf on Saturday and we got off the green on seven and we went into the shack to see George. And George was in the shack. And George is a big soccer player.

[B]

Yes, he is.

[C]

And George said to me that half, the first half is the greatest half in the history of United States soccer. And I said to him, well, are we any good? And he said, play like that, you can play with anyone. Okay, now here's a couple of numbers that are interesting. Well, Paraguay's better. I didn't know this. Paraguay had beaten Brazil and Argentina in

[B]

the game to qualify. South America. Yeah.

[C]

The United States, over the last eight World Cups has averaged three and a half goals for the entire tournament that they were present. They just got four against a good team. So maybe, indeed, maybe you want to

[B]

have some hope here, don't you?

[C]

Some. I'd like to have some hope.

[B]

Hope would be good. Expectations. Ah, that's a little early for that, isn't it? And it's like winning game one and you're Tony Kornhauser, book of theorems. You win game one, don't get crazy.

[C]

But when you win it impressively, and

[B]

nobody did it quite like that.

[C]

They did. And then you're not going to get grouped, as Twillman would say, because Turkey beat Australia.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Lost to Australia.

[B]

Australia. Australia. Yeah. Yell over Turkey. Turkey didn't look good. Bigger deal in baseball this weekend. The Miz schools return. The Rockies putting 23 on the A's in Vegas or the White Sox winning two of three from the Dodges.

[C]

Okay, I want to make sure we understand it is this weekend. These are. We're talking about small expectations, not large expectations. It's limited to that because what the Miz did was great. It was great. What? Scuba. Getting back and ready to go. That's great. The Chicago White Sox are insane. They have won 20 of 24 games. This team, two years ago, lost 300 games. But what happened in Vegas shouldn't stay in Vegas. Shouldn't happen anywhere. This is ridiculous. The Colorado Rockies have the worst record in all of baseball.

[B]

Again.

[C]

Again. They stink. Here's what they did. 23 runs, 6 home runs, 24 hits. This does not happen indoors. It doesn't happen anywhere. This is a minor league stadium, and it is a launching pad. They played six games this year. The A's played six games here and six more next year. You know how many runs were scored in the six games this year? 102.

[B]

So that's why it's not a big deal. No, stop it.

[C]

It's just a. Stop it. Stop the madness.

[B]

Little League Park.

[C]

Stop the madness.

[B]

You have that right.

[C]

They shouldn't be playing there.

[B]

Okay, so they shouldn't be playing there. The White Sox should be playing. They just beat the Dodgers two out of three. Right? All right. And they share a facility with the Dodgers, and they look like. Talk about the jv. The spring training facility they share in Scottsdale with the Dodgers. The White Sox, Tony, are like 37 and 31, I think.

[C]

Why did the Dodgers leave Vero? Why did they leave Vero? Everybody loved Vero.

[B]

This will come as a shock to you. Arizona, closer to California than Dodgertown. Desert Dodgertown. Historic, though. Yeah, I will. The White Sox. The White Sox are never the own story in their own town. And now I'm gonna go see the White Sox play. I'm gonna go to Comiskey.

[C]

I can. Whoa. I'm gonna alert the media you're coming alert.

[B]

Maybe you get a correct somebody. I'm not wearing a White Sox thing. Those red jerseys Are the ugliest jerseys in the history of sports. The red and black. Now if they were wearing the red

[C]

and white socks, I'm go see the White Sox. Are you worried you won't be able to sing the anthem or throw 10? I'm not singing the ball game. I'm not saying I'm just gonna go sing. No, I mean at the Cubs anymore.

[B]

I can get back in. I'll wear some glasses and a fake nose.

[C]

That's enough email. Let's take one last break. Still to come, a surprising result for a Spanish team many have picked to win the World Cup.

[B]

The Bulls hired a new head coach.

[C]

Who?

[B]

You know how many games I went to a Comiskey Pochettino.

[C]

Pochettino they hired at Wrigley Phil Jackson. Well, because your dad was a White Sox fan. Then you dumped him and you just went to the Cubs. Went to the south side.

[B]

Sort of. You went to the north side. I grew up on the south side. Well, whatever. The north side, whatever.

[C]

I tell you, I've learned everything about Chicago from you.

[B]

You have?

[C]

Everything. But you've never sick of Chicago.

[B]

When is the last time you were here?

[E]

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[C]

Happy 68th birthday. Wade Boggs, the Hall of Fame third baseman begin as a seventh round draft pick in 1976 and turned into a 12 time all star. Boggs led the American League in batting five times, won two Gold Gloves, eight Silver Sluggers and was on a World Series champion with the Yankees in 1996. Both the Red Sox and Rays retired his number. Boggs had 3,010 career hits and 1,014 RBI. His career batting average was hello328. For years baseball lore has echoed with tales of Boggs guzzling 107 beers in a single day. 73 of which legend claims were consumed on a single cross country flight from Boston to Los Angeles in 1994. I desperately want this to be true. But Boggs has denied the 107 total.

[B]

You need one hit to save your life. Boggs, Carew or Gwen. Who you picking?

[C]

I'll take any of them. I'd also add George Brett to that list. Great clutch hitter. Not so. Happy anniversary, Houston Astrodome. On this day 50 years ago, the Revolutionary Dome Stadium, nicknamed the eighth wonder of the World, suffered a rain out. A torrential storm that lasted some seven hours dumped rain reportedly in excess of 10 inches around the dome while both teams arrived early and were ready to play. Flooding of the surrounding area led to road closures and high water in parts of the stadium itself. A game could have been played, but without fans and officials decided to postpone it. The Astrodome was an enormously big deal when it opened in 1965. Hosted all sorts of big events, including the Billie Jean King, Bobby Riggs tennis match.

[B]

I don't remember any baseball games from that building, but I remember a basketball game as a kid. Lu Alcindor versus Elvin Elvin Hayes. Hayes and UCLA lost that.

[C]

That's right.

[B]

Only loss they had that year.

[C]

That's right.

[B]

Well, they got revenge in the Final Four. Where was that?

[C]

Oh yeah, they beat him by like 30, I believe in the final four. OK, maybe I'm wrong. Some of you will get in my ear. Happy trails to Bud Cawley's weight for his first PGA Tour win. The 36 year old topped Wilbonds Guy Fitze to win the Canadian Open yesterday in his 239th start. Coley was roommates with Justin Thomas at Alabama and had a promising career until a car crash eight years ago. Broke one of his legs, five of his ribs and collapsed one of his lungs. He later suffered an open wound and infection after doctors removed a metal plate from his chest. In all, Cole, he missed three years and considered leaving the sport. Made it back to the tour in 2024. Had four top 10 finishes last season. Yesterday's win qualifies him for this week's U.S. open at Shinnecock. Jim Nan sat on the call acknowledging how long it had been for Cawley to win. Sometimes it takes a while for a bud to become a full bloom.

[B]

Feel good story. Easy to root for.

[C]

Yes. Let's go quickly to the finish. Cape Verde played Spain to a scoreless draw. You're surprised?

[B]

That's probably the biggest upset of the tournament. And Lamina Mall played the last 20 minutes, did not start. The Big 12 is seeking an injunction in federal court that would allow it to punish Texas Tech if it plays Brendan Sorsby. A you surprise.

[C]

Not at all. They don't want to play Sorsby. Sorsby's good. The Bulls are reportedly hiring Thiago Splitter as their next head coach. Happy about that?

[B]

I love this. Are you kidding? He did a great job in Portland. I'm thrilled about this. Darren Peterson has met with the Wizards, who reportedly won't meet with any other team.

[C]

I think that means he thinks he's going to be the number one pick. Not to ban something that would surprise me. Last one. Brian Windhorst says Giannis wants to go to the Heat. Do you think that'll happen?

[B]

It sounds like it's really sounds like the other teams that are interested.

[C]

Yep, sounds like it's gonna happen. Well, we are out of time. We will try to do better the next time. Happy birthday, Reed.

[B]

Giannis gonna survive and keep culture. I'm Mike Wilbon. Same time tomorrow, Knuckleheads.