Victor Wembanyama OUT for the Remainder of the Season

Summary

PTI Podcast Episode Summary: "Victor Wembanyama OUT for the Remainder of the Season"
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon

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I. Victor Wembanyama's Season-Ending Injury

Overview:
The episode opens with heavy discussion surrounding the San Antonio Spurs' star, Victor Wembanyama, who has been diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, sidelining him for the remainder of the NBA season. Hosts Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon delve into the implications of this injury for both Wembanyama's career and the Spurs' prospects.

Key Points:

• Wembanyama's Impact:
  Tony highlights Wembanyama's exceptional physical attributes and unprecedented skill set, noting his significant contributions to the Spurs over the past two and a half seasons.

• Comparisons to Chris Bosh:
  Mike draws parallels between Wembanyama's situation and that of former NBA player Chris Bosh, who faced a similar health issue that ultimately cut his career short. Mike shares a personal connection, mentioning his father's experience with thrombosis, underscoring the seriousness of the condition.

• Hope for Recovery:
  Both hosts express optimism that advancements in medical technology may allow Wembanyama to recover effectively, minimizing long-term impacts on his career.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wilbon [01:27]:
  "I hate to use the word freakish, but this singular unicornish nature of him physically and his talent... it's all of that and the progress he was making."

• Tony Kornheiser [02:15]:
  "I also thought, Mike, I also thought when they got De'Aaron Fox that they were setting up that team for the next 10 years with Fox and Wembanyama."

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II. USA vs. Canada Four Nations Hockey Face-Off

Overview:
The discussion shifts to the highly anticipated USA vs. Canada hockey game in Boston, part of the Four Nations Face-Off tournament. The hosts analyze the teams' dynamics, potential for physical play, and the broader implications for international hockey rivalries.

Key Points:

• Game Anticipation:
  Both Tony and Mike express excitement for the matchup, emphasizing the historical intensity between USA and Canada in hockey.

• Potential for Fights and Physicality:
  Mike emphasizes his desire to see a high-quality game free from fights, contrasting it with typical basketball fan expectations. Tony reflects on his recent lack of exposure to such anticipatory excitement in sports.

• Leadership and Team Dynamics:
  The conversation touches upon Team USA's composition, noting the absence of seasoned playoff players and how it might affect their performance and psychological state during high-stakes games.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wilbon [04:35]:
  "I want to see great hockey. If I know one thing, if it was the NBA, those same people would not be saying, 'I can't wait to see the fighting.'"

• Tony Kornheiser [05:29]:
  "Hope they don't see the Kachuk brothers fighting in the first nines before it starts, before the puck is dropped."

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III. Declining NBA All-Star Game Ratings and Brendan Haywood's Critique

Overview:
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to addressing the 13% drop in NBA All-Star Game ratings compared to the previous year. The hosts examine Brendan Haywood's criticism regarding the league's leadership and the perceived decline in the event's quality.

Key Points:

• Brendan Haywood's Statement:
  Haywood posits that the NBA's current face, specifically LeBron James, may be contributing to the decline due to perceived leadership shortcomings. He suggests that past legends like Michael Jordan set higher standards that are currently unmet.

• Hosts' Reactions:
  Tony questions Haywood's credibility, noting Haywood never made an All-Star team during his 13-year NBA career. He also interprets Haywood's comments as a critique of LeBron James' role as the league's ambassador.

• Leadership Concerns:
  The discussion explores whether current NBA superstars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant are adequately inspiring and leading the league to maintain the All-Star Game's prestige and viewer engagement.

• Foreign Players and All-Star Dynamics:
  Tony raises the point that many top foreign players may not resonate with the All-Star Game's format or significance, potentially diminishing its global appeal and competitive spirit.

Notable Quotes:

• Brendan Haywood [07:05]:
  "The face of the league sets the temperature... when Kobe Bryant retired, he held up the standard. No one's running with it right now."

• Tony Kornheiser [08:19]:
  "This is a complete shot at him [LeBron James]. And I think it's worth mentioning that he didn't play in the All-Star Game a couple of days ago and he was a late scratch."

• Mike Wilbon [09:33]:
  "This was crystal clear and he nailed it."

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IV. Additional Sports Highlights

Overview:
Towards the end of the episode, the hosts touch upon various other sports news, providing brief updates and commentary on recent events across different leagues.

Key Points:

• Lakers and Bucks Updates:

  • The Lakers suffered a home loss to the Hornets, with Mike lamenting LeBron's missed shots.
  • The Bucks face a setback as center Bobby Portis is suspended for 25 games due to a banned substance.

• Zion Williamson's Injury Anniversary:
  Tony reflects on the six-year anniversary of Zion Williamson's knee injury, discussing his limited impact on the NBA and the Pelicans' performance with and without him.

• Messi's Performance in Severe Weather:
  Highlighting Lionel Messi's remarkable goal in a frigid CONCACAF Champions Cup match, Tony underscores Messi's exceptional talent despite challenging conditions.

• Yankees' Aaron Boone Extension:
  Mike briefly mentions Aaron Boone's two-year extension with the Yankees, connecting it to recent team performances.

Notable Quotes:

• Tony Kornheiser [20:04]:
  "Happy 97th birthday, Elroy Face... he was the greatest reliever in baseball when he was with the Pirates."

• Mike Wilbon [21:29]:
  "Zion's not physically ready. He's not ready."

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V. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with the hosts summarizing the day's discussions and teasing upcoming topics, while also highlighting advertising segments. They express a mix of concern and optimism for ongoing sports narratives and the future of various leagues.

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Conclusion:
In this episode of PTI, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon provide insightful analysis on significant sports stories, notably Victor Wembanyama's injury and the impending USA vs. Canada hockey showdown. Their candid discussions shed light on broader issues within professional sports, including leadership challenges in the NBA and the evolving dynamics of international competitions. The hosts maintain their signature blend of humor and expertise, making the episode both informative and engaging for listeners.

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 Wilbon. It's National Handcuff Day. Tony, have you ever been handcuffed?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Kornheiser. Handcuffs hurt. I prefer silk scarves.

[Mike Wilbon]

Oh. Oh, okay. Really?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

They don't leave a mark. Silk scarves?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No.

[Mike Wilbon]

You've never been handcuffed?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I have never been handcuffed. I mean, you've never been handcuffed. So there you go. What have we done wrong in our.

[Mike Wilbon]

Lives on this show?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, the USA faces Canada on the ice. Lionel Messi score in frigid conditions. And what will get the NBA's biggest stars to warm up to the All Star game. But we begin today with the spurs expecting Victor Wembanyama to miss the rest of the season after discovering a blood clot in his right shoulder. The official diagnosis is a deep vein thrombosis, which can have serious consequences, but the team believes this is an isolated issue. Wilbon, what is your reaction to this?

[Mike Wilbon]

Several, Tony, but the first one was just a downer. You know how much I love watching Victor Winyama. It could have been a game in November or December or January that was relatively meaningless. I just like watching him, his development, his growth, this sort of. I hate to use the word freakish, but this singular unicornish nature of him physically and his talent, all of that and the progress he was making, and now, you know, he's going to have two months at least, lopped off his second season. Okay, it's not the end of the world, but I mean, you know, Chris Bosh had something similar. And I'm familiar with thrombosis because my father suffered from it. And it can take you out, particularly 20 and 30 and 40 and even 10 years ago when Chris Bosh was diagnosed and there have been.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And his career was cut short.

[Mike Wilbon]

His career was cut short. And so now I'm hoping that medical and technological advancements will lead us to a place where victim Wembanyama is not as affected as so many people over previous generations, but it's a downer right now.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I'm not a medical doctor and I don't know how serious this is, but Victor Wembanyama does not have what we would call an ordinary body. He is 7 foot 5, whatever, and the exertion that he puts that body through being a professional athlete changes a lot of these equations, it seems to me. So I have no idea what this prognosis is. He is on the verge of becoming a great basketball player. He has a skill set that we have not seen before. I want to get these numbers right. He played 71 of 82 games last year, and he played 30 minutes a game so far this year. He played 46 of 52, 33 minutes a game. So even though he appears to be thin, he appears to be durable as well. This is not Joel Embiid. This is not Kawhi Leonard. He has been out there. Right. His numbers at this point are absolutely wonderful. I don't think you could ask any more of him than he has given in the past two season and a half or whatever it is. But I also thought, Mike, I also thought when they got De'Aaron Fox that they were setting up that team for the next 10 years with Fox and Wembanyama. Wembanyama is averaging 24 points this year, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. He's been tremendous, amazing. And so I worry. And so I worry.

[Mike Wilbon]

Just go back for a second to again, what has happened now versus 30 years ago. Officer Thompson, Brandon Ingram have been diagnosed with the something very similar back on the court after missing about, you know, five, six, seven months. So it's not overnight, but if that's, if that was the diagnosis and if that they could hold true to that timeline, wouldn't we be pretty happy?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Yeah, we would be. Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

Want to see him out there? Really do.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's move to tonight's final of the four nations face off in hockey. The United States team will play the Canadian team in Boston. Just five nights ago, the United States team beat Canada 3 to 1 in Montreal in a game characterized by three fights in the first nine seconds. Wilbon, what do you expect to see tonight, Tony?

[Mike Wilbon]

I guess I expect to see a great game. I'm not going in with expectations. I'm going in with curiosity. And I don't want to see the fighting and I don't have people on this network I've talked about and we can't wait to see the fight. No No, I don't want to see the fight. I want to see great hockey. Because if I know one thing, if it was the NBA, those same people would not be saying, I can't wait to see the fighting. They wouldn't say that. So I got. I got other issues to set aside, but I don't know what we're going to see. I want to see another great game. I mean, it's been built up now and the intensity has been talked about, and I believe that will be there. That doesn't necessarily guarantee a great athletic contest, but something that matters is at stake here, and I'm curious to see what happens.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I don't think we will hear the American anthem booed tonight in Boston. No, I think people will stand up and sing their lungs out.

[Mike Wilbon]

We don't boo Oak Canada.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, this is the next thing.

[Mike Wilbon]

I hope we don't.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't know if there will be a retaliation for what happened in Canada and people will boo the Canadian anthem. And I hope not might happen, but I hope not. I don't think we will see the Kachuk brothers fighting in the first nines before it starts, before the puck is dropped.

[Mike Wilbon]

There's none of that, but I think it's possible.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think it's possible we will see someone on the Canadian team instigated fight. I think that's possible. I am now in anything is possible mode because I am very excited for this game and, you know, I'm not a hockey guy. I'm very excited for this. I can't recall an anticipation of a game like this in a long time, including, for me, an Olympic game. What it reminded me of was in 2018, the Washington Capitals were in the Stanley cup finals, which they won, by the way. And it was in June, and they had these outdoor viewing parties that just popped up all over the city, and it was tremendously exciting. And I sort of feel that kind of excitement with this game tonight.

[Mike Wilbon]

Sometimes things drop out of the sky and this has. And organically, those are the things that give you a surprise and spark your curiosity.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We can't stress this enough. It's an invented game. It's an exhibition game. It doesn't count for everything. But, Mike, it feels like it counts for everything. No, it feels like it counts for everything at the moment. No. It's exciting.

[Mike Wilbon]

Curious to see it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I hope the NBA pays attention to this.

[Mike Wilbon]

They're not paying attention.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hope they do.

[Mike Wilbon]

They're not paying attention, but they're not paying attention. Let me just say that they could have this. Am I going to have to wake you? Am I going to have to ring your phone?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes, do that.

[Mike Wilbon]

Start of the third period.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Start of the third, call the house.

[Mike Wilbon]

Fair. Fair enough.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Maybe Chessy will answer. Chessy's my dog.

[Mike Wilbon]

The ratings, speaking of, for the NBA's All Star Game competition were down 13% from last year. Surprise. It wasn't more. Longtime NBA center Brendan Haywood, who you and I know fairly well, has a theory as to why the event has been struggling. He told the Triple Threat podcast, Quote, the face of the league sets the temperature. Michael Jordan set the standard because the standard was set before him. With guys like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. You know, when the quality of the All Star Game really started going down, when Kobe Bryant retired, he held up the standard. No one's running with it right now. Everybody's running from it. And that is the problem. Close quote. Tony, leadership issue. How do you feel about what Brendan Haywood said?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, so I agree with much of it and I'll get to that in a second. But I think two things have to be said. First, one is that Brendan Haywood spent 13 years in the NBA. He never once made an All Star Game. So I think it's fair if you don't like his comments to say, well, does he have the credentials to make this comment? Secondly, what a shot this is at LeBron James. When you say the face of the league. LeBron James has been the leading face of the league for 15 years at least.

[Mike Wilbon]

Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, no, they're there. LeBron James. This is a complete shot at him. And I think it's worth mentioning that he didn't play in the All Star Game a couple of days ago and he was a late scratch. Do I think that it's possible that leadership has something to do with it? Cuz the game stinks. Okay. Is it possible? Yeah, it's possible. This is possible. And who are the leaders? And you just name them. There's LeBron James, there's Steph Curry and there's Kevin Durant. Is it possible they don't care about it the way that they should? Yes, it's possible that that's true. I also think that we have so many great foreign players now, foreign born players who did not grow up with this All Star Game. I don't know what it means to them. I don't know that they can be asked to take the lead in this. And yet the last six MVPs in the league is a combination of Jokic and antetokounmpo and embiid. So you're in this situation where I understand what Brendan Haywood is saying, but, boy, it's a shot at LeBron.

[Mike Wilbon]

Every syllable that came out of Brendan Haywood's mouth is right on the money. I don't care who the face is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But you do think it's the leadership.

[Mike Wilbon]

Of the whole thing. No, I'm not gonna sign it all to LeBron. And at the end of I love you, I love watching these guys play. I'm going to weep when they retire.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

All three of the ones we mentioned, great players. Okay? This is true. The All Star Game stinks. It embarrassed the commissioner of the game last year, but he does not have the power, the leverage to get the players to play hard. And those players want the viewers and the patrons and the networks to care more about what they do, then they care. That's garbage. And it's been. It moved to garbage. And I know ex players. I know some ex players who played in more than a dozen. I'm going to mention one to you. I'm not going to say his name because these were off the record conversations. And he said to me, this is the first time in 40 years, I'm not going to the All Star Game. I'm not going to waste my time. That's an indictment. Brendan Haywood gave voice to it. He. He gets paid to give an opinion now. He does it very well. To me, this was crystal clear and he nailed it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do you think that Brendan Haywood is at the lower end at his age, like 45, 46, whatever. He is going all the way up to 60 of a generation that looks at LeBron with a certain amount of skepticism because LeBron has gone from team to team to team to better himself, and they couldn't do that. Didn't do it. Couldn't do it.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know what? That's a fair and interesting point. I hear you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's what I wonder.

[Mike Wilbon]

But I don't think it's fair to just lay all this at LeBron's feet. I don't believe that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

LeBron's feeling it was laid at his feet. Face of the league. He's tried to be the face of the league. Let's take a break. Coming up, United States faces off with Canada again in a couple of hours. Should we expect more fighting from the start? Hope not. We're gonna ask PK Subam.

[Mike Wilbon]

You don't need that. Seriously. We'll also ask him how much home ice matters in games of this Magnitude.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Brendan Hay was very good on television. Yes, he's very good.

[Mike Wilbon]

He is. I like listening to Brendan, but I.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Gotta give a balance.

[Mike Wilbon]

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[P.K. Subban]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's get back into tonight's battle between Canada, the United states in the four nations face off with our great friend, ESPN hockey analyst P.K. subin. Let's start with this. You've said don't be surprised if the teams fight again, again in the first minute. Tonight, you played this game from a strategic point of view. Why would you do that?

[P.K. Subban]

Well, it's a chess match, so, you know, we saw it on Saturday in the first game, Canada, US And US Set the tone. You know, we go all the way back in history every time Canada's met us. This team was built so that they would not be pushed around. But this is also a skilled team, an elite team, a team with elite talent and players that are hungry. And we're seeing that all come together. They've built this team extremely well, and the USA Hockey program has done a great job developing players. So, you know, I think that Team USA wanted to answer the bell and come right into this tournament and punch Canada in the mouth. And they did. But give the Canadians credit. They got an undersized team. They're not bigger than the USA team. They're not. They're a smaller team. Brandon Hagel, the way he stood in there and fought all the guys, the way they stepped up, amazing to watch. And I expect to see it boil over again today, whether it's fights, whether it's physicality, whether it's hits, whether it's scrums. After the whistle. It'll all be there tonight, guys. Starting at eight.

[Mike Wilbon]

Let's zero in for a second on Charlie McAvoy PK, because, I mean, one, I want to hear. We want to hear how big a loss you think that will be for the US Team tonight specifically. But then going forward, if he has a prolonged absence, is that going to affect the way guys feel about this competition?

[P.K. Subban]

No. No. And I think that that first game, Canada US the first game in this tournament was awesome. But that Canada US Game really showed what the players are here for. Hockey is a game that is played with purpose. You gotta leave it all out there. It's not the same game if you don't play that way. And the players take pride in it. Remember this, Wil Vaughn. This is not just NHL players out here. These are the best players in the world. This is truly best on best. So these guys are all in. They've been all in since they were two years old. They're not taking their foot off the gas. We got the Olympics next year in Italy in 2000. We got the World cup in 2028. This matters. A lot of these guys haven't even played in an NHL playoff yet. So they want to have those opportunities. They want to carve their path. They want to be Sidney Crosby, they want to be the McKinnon's, they want to be McDavid. They look up to these guys and for Team USA, they're looking across the ice from them on the biggest stage. This is a hell of an opportunity for a lot of these young players. And, you know, for them, I don't think any of them are going to look at. That's a part of the game. It can happen anytime. And they accept that. You accept that. Playing in the National Hockey League, first.

[Mike Wilbon]

Game was in Montreal. Tonight it's in Boston. We see teams win on the road, even big games in the playoffs all the time. Do you see there being a decided advantage for the US Team playing in Boston tonight?

[P.K. Subban]

Well, definitely the energy's gonna shift. You know, it's definitely gonna shift. And you know, for Team usa, it could also work against them. Like I said, they got a lot of players in that locker room that haven't played, haven't been in a Stanley cup final yet, haven't made it to the Stanley cup playoffs yet. So, you know, that can bring some jitters as well. But what Montreal tells me, it's not going to matter for either of these teams. These teams want to get it on. They don't care whether they're playing In Boston, Montreal or Timbuktu. These guys are willing to fight and lay it all on the line, no matter what. But I'll tell you this. I've played in this building. I've had some big games here, played a lot of memorable games here at Montreal and Boston. This building will be absolutely rock if they don't have the roof buttoned on. I'm telling you right now, it's going to end up on the freeway because this place is going to be rocking. I've seen it during the regular season, I've seen it in the playoffs. And now we're talking four nations, the whole world's watching. These players are going to blow the roof off this place. So buckle up and strap in. Mike, Tony, you guys better buckle up and strap in, too, and get your popcorn ready while you're at it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So we will get you out of here on this. And this is a personal question. You are Canadian. Canada has always been the number one power in the hemisphere. How important is this now? They lost the last one. How important is this game to Canadian hockey culture?

[P.K. Subban]

Huge. Huge. You know, personally, for me, I want to see Canada get this thing done. I really, really do. Because they need it. You look at the World Juniors. The USA took home the World Juniors. The USA hockey program has continued to grow. And if we' talking about Hockey Canada, it's been a. It's been some ups and downs. It hasn't been a smooth ride the past 20 years for hockey Canada, both on the ice, developing prospects and. And. And in these games. So, yes, they've had success, but we know what the standard is for Hockey Canada. And in that time of those rocky times, a lot of these countries have closed the gap. Tony, Mike, there's only four teams here, but we still got Denmark, we still got Russia, we still got Slovakia, we still got. We still got so many other teams that have some great players that are going great competition for years to come. So for Canada, this is a massive game. For Hockey Canada, huge game to send a message to still say that we're at the top of the list. And, you know, for me, my heart wants Canada to win. But with Team usa, all I'm thinking about is Guy Goudreau and Johnny Goudreau and how amazing it would be to see them celebrate around that and enjoy a win tonight. It'd be a special moment for USA Hockey. It'd be a special moment for the Goudreau family and for the Tkachuk brothers and everybody there.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Very well said. Thank you. So much for being with us.

[Mike Wilbon]

Enjoy tonight. We know you will.

[P.K. Subban]

All right, thanks, guys.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You can catch more of PK on the point at 7pm Eastern, followed by the game itself at 8. Let's take one last break. Still to come, the Lakers lay an egg to start the stretch run.

[Mike Wilbon]

They did. And the Bucks lose a big man for the next 25 games. One of my favorite players. Do I have to call you to start the third period to make sure you're awake?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm gonna be awake for this one. I'm up for this one.

[P.K. Subban]

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[Mike Wilbon]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

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[Mike Wilbon]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time, people. Happy 97th birthday, Elroy Face.

[Mike Wilbon]

Wow.

[Tony Kornheiser]

History lesson, kids. Face was the greatest reliever in baseball when he was with the Pirates. From 1956 through 1963, Face led the National League in Finnish games four different times and in saves three different times. In 1959, Face was 181 with a 270-era without making a single start. He was a six time All Star. When he retired, Face was third all time in appearances as a pitcher with 848 behind only Hoyt Wilhelm and Cy Young.

[Mike Wilbon]

Man.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, that's Cy Young. Face still holds the National League record for wins and relief. 96.

[Mike Wilbon]

There was no just coming into Faze 3 in the 9th. You stayed near as long as you needed to. And that team had Bill Mazeroski, a guy named Roberto Clemente.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

And a Cy Young Award winner that year. Vern Law.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Vern Law. Yeah, not so happy anniversary. Zion Williamson. On this day six years ago, less than one minute into a game with North Carolina, the Duke star freshman shoe literally exploded. Zion's right knee was sprained, causing him to miss Duke's final Six regular season games. Zion came back for the ACC tournament, helped Duke win it and was named mvp. He was the first overall pick in the NBA draft by New Orleans. He's a great player when he plays a career 24.7 scorer, but he is so often heard. Zion has played in 18 of the Pelicans 52 games. Pelicans are 4:14 when Zion plays, which is actually a worse percentage than their 9. 28 when he does not think the.

[Mike Wilbon]

League would be better off if Zion and Ja picked one two in that draft in 2019 had played up to consistently four in the lineup.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I haven't played that. Yeah. Happy trails to last night's game for Sporting Kansas City. The team lost to Inter Miami last night in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. But the bigger story was the weather. 4 degrees at kickoff with a wind chill of 9 below. The only goal of the game was scored, of course, by Messi, whose coach, Javier Maccherano said afterwards, quote, I think it's impossible to play in these conditions. It's not human, unquote. At least when you're playing, you're running around. More than 15,000 people paid to sit in the stands and watch this.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, Messi's not human. He's a goat, right?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, yeah. So it fits. Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

You see that goal score. Just go throw up both.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's supposed to. He's supposed to do that. Big finish if we can.

[Mike Wilbon]

Let's do it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The NBA suspended Bucs Center Bobby Portis 25 games for taking a banned substance. Your thoughts?

[Mike Wilbon]

He took Tramadol Natoria doll. At least a trainer gave it to him. Bobby Portis, really important to that team. One of my favorite players in the league. Lakers lost to the Hornets last night.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What stands out stands out as they lost at home to a terrible team. Thrilling game and. Okay, thrilling team.

[Mike Wilbon]

LeBron.

[Tony Kornheiser]

LeBron missed a couple at the buzzer.

[Mike Wilbon]

Damn.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But Luka's not physically ready. He's not ready. The Yankees signed Aaron Boone to a two year extension. Okay by you?

[Mike Wilbon]

Let's see. Aaron Boone and the Yankees were in something we called the World Series a few months ago, right? More than all right. Juan Soto got teammate Brett Beatty a car for giving up jersey number 22. Does that make sense?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not just a car. Okay. It's one of these Chevy Tahoes that's tricked up for $92,000, which you can do when you sign for 765. Last one US women's soccer against Columbia. And the. She believes Cuppa is smelling upset.

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, apparently like five of the US Team's best players are out, right? So she's going to have mh gonna have some time to experience, you know, to experiment with some younger players. But also we've shut or held Columbia to no goals for seven straight games.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So there's no upset. We're out of time. We'll try and do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm Mike Wilbach. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads. And now I'm gonna go out and get into my tricked up Tahoe.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do you have one of those?

[P.K. Subban]

No.

[Mike Wilbon]

Wow. Not really.

[P.K. Subban]

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