Hour 1: Man Purse

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" – Episode: Hour 1: Man Purse

Overview In this engaging episode of Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron, hosts Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf delve into a variety of topics centered around the sports world. From discussing the ongoing NBA Finals to sharing personal anecdotes and interacting with listeners, the duo offers insightful commentary and lively banter. This summary captures the key discussions, notable quotes, and concluding thoughts from the episode released on June 22, 2025.

---

1. Opening Remarks and Weather Talk

The episode kicks off with Matt and Myron exchanging greetings and discussing the persistent heatwave affecting the Midwest. Both hosts share their personal experiences with the extreme weather, setting a relatable tone for the listeners.

• Matt Jones: "All across the Midwest, we are in the midst of what they call a heat stove. 8 or 9 days with 90 to 100-degree weather just hanging over us." ([01:07])

• Myron Medcalf: Reflects on his recent trip to Las Vegas, highlighting the intense heat there as well as back home.

2. NBA Finals Analysis

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) and the Indiana Pacers. The hosts express their opinions on the length and excitement level of the series, debating the potential outcomes and the legacy of the competing teams.

• Matt Jones: Criticizes the extended length of the series, stating, "This is the longest series in the history of basketball." ([04:10])

• Myron Medcalf: Shares his skepticism about OKC's potential as a memorable championship team, comparing them to the 2004 Pistons and expressing doubts about their long-term legacy. ([05:24])

• Discussion Points:

  • The perceived lack of excitement and memorable moments in the series.
  • The marketing challenges faced by both teams, particularly OKC.
  • Speculation on future documentaries and historical significance.

3. Listener Interaction: Man Purse Segment

The episode takes a humorous turn as Myron introduces a peculiar personal habit—carrying a man purse. This segment encourages listener engagement and adds a lighthearted element to the discussion.

• Myron Medcalf: "I bought a man purse. So I've been walking around with a man purse since Vegas. It just changed me." ([15:44])

• Matt Jones: Responds with playful skepticism, questioning the practicality of a man purse compared to traditional options like backpacks. ([16:06])

• Listener Call-In: A caller named John from Florida shares his experience and supports Myron's choice, leading to a lively debate about the merits of man purses versus fanny packs. ([37:37])

4. College World Series Highlight

Transitioning from basketball, Matt and Myron discuss a notable moment from the College World Series involving Arkansas and LSU. They reflect on a critical error made by an Arkansas outfielder, emphasizing the emotional impact of such moments in sports.

• Matt Jones: Describes the play where the outfielder trips, leading to LSU's win: "It was one of the more embarrassing gaffes I've ever seen in sports." ([41:07])

• Myron Medcalf: Expresses empathy for the player, highlighting the role of teammates in providing support during tough times. ([42:28])

5. Further Listener Calls and Discussions

The hosts continue to engage with listeners, addressing opinions about the NBA Finals' excitement level and the promotion of less mainstream teams like OKC and the Pacers.

• Caller Feedback: Lists challenges with the series' length and scheduling, advocating for more condensed game timelines. ([24:47])

• Myron Medcalf: Discusses the marketing difficulties of promoting teams that don't have widespread national appeal. ([33:13])

• Matt Jones: Agrees on the need for better promotion and recognition of players from these teams to enhance their popularity and legacy. ([34:23])

6. Concluding Thoughts

As the episode nears its end, Matt and Myron recap their discussions and tease upcoming topics. They reflect on the significance of memorable sports moments and the importance of storytelling in sports media.

• Matt Jones: Emphasizes the need for defining moments in sports that resonate with audiences, comparing it to iconic broadcasts like CBS's Final Four coverage. ([26:10])

• Myron Medcalf: Agrees, noting the absence of standout moments in the current NBA Finals that would make them historically significant. ([28:23])

• Final Remarks: The hosts express anticipation for the conclusion of the NBA Finals and hint at exploring "one of the toughest losses" in sports in their next segment. ([35:48])

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Matt Jones on NBA Finals Length: "This is the longest series in the history of basketball." ([04:10])
• Myron Medcalf on OKC's Legacy: "I don't think they're that memorable. They're just going to be another team that won." ([05:24])
• Myron on Man Purse: "I bought a man purse. So I've been walking around with a man purse since Vegas." ([15:44])
• Matt Jones on Memorable Sports Moments: "The presentation just doesn't feel that much different than a regular game." ([26:10])
• Listener Call on Man Purse: "The man purse that Myron is talking about is so underrated." ([37:38])

---

Conclusion This episode of Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron offers a thoughtful and entertaining exploration of current sports events, personal anecdotes, and interactive segments with listeners. Through their dynamic conversation, Matt and Myron provide listeners with both informative analysis and relatable humor, making for a well-rounded and engaging podcast experience.

Transcript

[Matt Jones]

If you used Babbel, you would. Babbel's conversation based techniques teaches you useful words and phrases to get you speaking quickly about the things you actually talk about in the real world. With lessons handcrafted by over 200 language experts and voiced by real native speakers, Babbel is like having a private tutor in your pocket. Start speaking with Babbel today. Get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription right now. @babbel.com Spotify spelled B A B-B-E-L.com Spotify rules and restrictions may apply.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myon the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

You know, there's a lot going on in the world, but one place you can always feel at home is Sunday mornings from 10 to 1 here on ESPN radio. It is Matt Myron. Well, I can't even get my words out. It's Matt Myron.

[Myron Metcalf]

Oh, you get all choked up with.

[Matt Jones]

Me being back because I'm excited to be back with you. Presented by progressive Insurance. Myron skipped last week, but we're here today. Sunday morning is presented by Progressive Insurance. Protect your auto, home and business [e-mail].

[Myron Metcalf]

What are we thinking about?

[Matt Jones]

I'm trying to think, but nothing happens.

[Myron Metcalf]

Nothing happens. Time to find out.

[Matt Jones]

This is off the top Flash off the top with Matt and Myron. I'm Matt Jones, he's Myron Metcalf. All across the Midwest, we are in the midst of, I think, what they call a heat stove. 8 or 9 days with 90 to 100 degree weather just hanging over us. It's not moving. Omaha, the college World series saw the hottest opening temperature for a night game in the history of its event. I walked yesterday, Myron, 26,882 steps. And that was a bad decision in this heat. It's nice to be with you here in the air conditioning and hey, New York, Philly, all those places up there, it's coming for you in a couple days.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean, I've experienced both of them. I'm back in the Midwest now. I've been in Vegas all week for my birthday, stayed at the Cosmo. Just a beautiful wraparound room, double balcony. I mean, this is like a really nice shout out to the Cosmo people but at a great time. But it was 112 degrees at 1 point. I know they call it a dry heat. It still felt like an oven. But then I came back to the Midwest and it was, you know, like a sauna.

[Matt Jones]

It's different. Yeah, exactly. That's a good truth. It's. It's a Sauna because of the humidity. That's here. I didn't realize it was your birthday. What? How old. How was number 50?

[Myron Metcalf]

Friday. 42 was Friday. See, I had no good celebration.

[Matt Jones]

What'd you do? Did you go out to the clubs? Did you get your name on one of your signs?

[Myron Metcalf]

My girlfriend. I would just went all throughout, you know, Vegas. Had a good time, you know, did a lot. Went to. Went to some shows. Just.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, what shows?

[Myron Metcalf]

And I bought something.

[Matt Jones]

What shows?

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, I bought something. I saw like this mentalist guy. Like, I'm a big magic guy. You don't believe in magic, you know, so I don't.

[Matt Jones]

Do you. Do you believe in magic? You believe there's a guy, someone who can read more than ever.

[Myron Metcalf]

Minds more than ever after being at the show. 100%. It's what? It's 100% the most.

[Matt Jones]

You believe that. That there is a person out there who can, like, read your mind and that is able to figure out what you're thinking.

[Myron Metcalf]

Unless you can explain to me how he pulled this off.

[Matt Jones]

I can't explain. Yes. He had people in the crowd that were plants.

[Myron Metcalf]

Nobody, everyone, no one knew him. Like, we all were talking and he was like, talk to the person next to you and say, do you know. Have you ever met this guy? Everyone said, no, no one knew him.

[Matt Jones]

So you're saying that there's no chance that person could lie in the crowd.

[Myron Metcalf]

That would be. I don't think he's a liar. I think he just is a man of profound skills and he called things out that I just have never said. Everyone caught like these phone balls with numbers and he'd purchased a lottery ticket that had all the numbers on. Like, I don't. You can't explain what he did. It was incredible.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I'm glad you believe in magic so. Well, thank. I'm glad you also had a great 42nd birthday. You might have to believe in magic to believe that The Pacers are going to win game seven in Oklahoma City. They are.

[Myron Metcalf]

Good segue.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Myron Metcalf]

That was a good segue. You're good at this.

[Matt Jones]

This series.

[Myron Metcalf]

You are really good at that.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Well, thank you. This series has gone by my estimation for six to seven weeks. I have to tell you, I know it was a game seven tonight. I'm not going to say I don't care. I kind of care, but I can't think of a game seven I've ever cared about less. I'm joking, but I feel like this is the longest series in the history of basketball. This Started. This started a long time ago. And the NBA has got to find a way to make these series a little more condensed. And I mean, honestly, this is my job to watch this, and I'm not excited at all. With that said, I'm sure I'll have it on. Hopefully it's a game in the fourth quarter. I feel like the Thunder are going to win, but I felt like they were going to win game six, and they didn't. What is your state of the series coming to Oklahoma City tonight?

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, it does feel like the NBA playoff started on Valentine's Day. You know, way too long. Way too like. I mean, you go back and think of the playing games and like, all the teams that were in the play.

[Matt Jones]

I don't even remember who was in the playing games, do you? Memphis. Memphis and Atlanta are always in the playing game.

[Myron Metcalf]

So I'm going to assume Atlanta, like they let Atlanta in the playing game at the start of the season. They're like, we know you're going to be in the play in. Just get ready for that. So it has been long. I think the biggest deception I've seen is we started thinking that OKC could be one of the great teams that we've seen. Young talent, sga, mvp, obviously, Jalen Williams, Chet, they got all these pieces, won 68 games, you know, set the record for scoring margin. And I think we thought, okay, this was going to be their. You know, you're going to coordinate this team. You're going to give them their crown as one of the great young teams we've seen. I think now you're watching them and going, no matter what happens tonight, OKC is going to be one of the great championship teams. You know, they're just going to be another team that won. They're going to be a lot like to me at this point, and maybe they win more in the future. Those 04 pistons or a team like that that just maybe had a good run. But I don't think they're that memorable. And that's different than how I felt coming into the finals. I thought we'd be watching a team where we'd say, this is the next Golden State warriors, the next dynasty in the NBA. I feel like whatever happens tonight, OKC goes in the next season as a good team, not a great team that the whole league is going to fear.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, if history shows that they win three of the next five or whatever, they will be looked at differently. But right now, I do think the 04 pistons is not a bad analogy. And the 04 pistons. Shea is a better star than any of those 04 pistons had. But if you look at the starting five of the 04 pistons, I believe. Let me test here. I think I can still remember it. It's Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshawn Prince. So I can remember those five. I kind of am not sure if people will remember the Oklahoma City 5. Unless, unless we get more championships, which we could with this younger group. I mean, it is definitely possible that you could get it. I'm acting like though it's certain they win tonight and the fact that they have a chance to lose to an Indiana team that I think almost no one listening here could name the starting lineup for this Indiana team right now. Much less than five years. I mean, you know, I love what, what Hal Burton's done, especially in Game 6, is awesome. Siakam. If they give an MVP if the Pacers win, he should get it. I don't know if he would. The TJ McConnell story is great, you know, and then they've had a lot of other guys, including Nem Hard and Miles Turner come in and out and have various moments. But it's easy to sit and look at the, you know, the ratings for every game. I never understand why people care about ratings, but I do care about them when they support my point and, and my point. This has been the least interesting final since in my. In the last 25 years. To me, then maybe the bubble and the ratings suggest that's correct and I'm looking forward to it in the sense that game sevens are always fun. But I do think this is going to be the series that in 20 years, if I'm still alive, I'm going to say what happened that year again. I feel like that's going to be what this is.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean, it's a blip, right? I think it's a weird because it's probably one of the most deceptive seven game series we've seen in sports where no one thinks these teams are that close necessarily. I mean, OKC has just had so many blowouts, but Indiana has two. So it's not like there's been this back and forth where every game has been kind of a nail biter. What we saw with.

[Matt Jones]

Well, none of these games have been a nail biter. Sometimes in the last two minutes they've become a nail biter because the team blows it. But these games have been, let's be real. I understand they're playing hard. I know the defense Especially for Oklahoma City, but really for both teams, has been very impressive. But none of these games have been, during the course of the game, close, really, except one.

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, and that style, too, like OKC is a really good team. They're not a really fun team. You know what I mean? Like, when you see them play and in Indiana, I think they're more of a fun team, but they look a lot better when they're playing a team like the Knicks. There's a lot of storylines, a lot of drama. You don't have that in this series. But I also think we're just ignoring the possibility that Indiana, which has had a bunch of lopsided wins too, wins this game.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, let's say they win. Let's say Indiana wins because you're right. I mean, it's certainly possible. Let's say Indiana wins. Does Indiana feel like when you're sitting there and looking back at the NBA champions, Because the NBA, more than any other sport, I think when you have a champion, it feels like something you remember. There are very few upset NBA champions. Sometimes an upset team like that eight seed Knicks will make the finals, but there are very few times that an unworthy champion will win. I don't feel on a personal level like Indianapolis feels like a champion. Will I feel differently if they win tonight?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. I don't know what would. What would make them any less of a champion. I think it's the other way around. I get excited about what OKC does tonight if they win.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, at the Shayzy, MV Shakes, the mvp.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, but that. But the path has been so easy. Like to me, if you look at what OKC has had to face to win this championship, they're playing a team that wasn't a top three seed in the Eastern Conference. They're supposed to win this series.

[Matt Jones]

I don't think that's fair. They beat Yogic. Shay beat Jokic. Shay beat Anthony Edwards. I don't think you. I mean, I don't think you can say they're an unworthy champion if they beat the consensus best player in the NBA and the consensus future star. And they have the mvp. To me, but they had dominated. Indianapolis is a much less. I mean, Yapas didn't play Boston, they didn't play New York.

[Myron Metcalf]

They beat the team that beat Boston. They beat the number one seed in Eastern Conference. They beat Giannis. I mean, you mentioned the number one.

[Matt Jones]

Seed is Oklahoma City.

[Myron Metcalf]

I just don't think you like anything attached to Indiana.

[Matt Jones]

I don't.

[Myron Metcalf]

So I think you just don't want to give them credit as a state.

[Matt Jones]

I think that's. No, I mean, that's fair. There is a. There is a part of this that as a state, Indiana is second only to Nebraska in don't really think they should be allowed to be a state. So you're right. That is probably part of it. But I am, I think it's. Objectively. Do you think there's anyone in America that does not live in Indiana or Oklahoma who is excited that this was the series we got?

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, I don't think the casual fans obviously are locked in the way they have been in the past, but it would be a big story if Indiana won. If Indiana wins. To me, I think OKC goes down as one of the great frauds. I think we've seen the last 25 years in the NBA.

[Matt Jones]

No credit to you for winning. And they're a fraud if they lose.

[Myron Metcalf]

If they lose, they're the. They're one of the bigger frauds I think we've seen. I actually don't last 25 years.

[Matt Jones]

The people of Oklahoma City. So it's clear you're. I don't know, you probably have a. Your girlfriend's probably like brisket or something.

[Myron Metcalf]

What's your OKC thing? I don't get it. Like, what do you.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know. I feel like OKC is more fun than Indiana. Sunday night baseball is on ESPN Rio beginning at 6 Eastern. And the NBA Finals is on tonight on ESPN. How are they both on? Rachel James, it says that my. My script here says NBA Finals on ESPN radio coverage begins at 6. Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN radio coverage begins at 6.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yep. We have several different channels that we broadcast things out also.

[Rachel]

There are multiple studios, so you can have things going on.

[Matt Jones]

But what if I want to listen to.

[Myron Metcalf]

What do you hear if you go to, like, channel.

[Matt Jones]

If I go to ESPN Radio, what's on my dial tonight?

[Rachel]

It depends on your affiliate.

[Matt Jones]

Correct. Oh, so affiliates choose which one they have? Yes. Okay. So what is. What does Sirius have?

[Myron Metcalf]

Files. Has to be final. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Myron Metcalf]

Either that or it's.

[Rachel]

It's above our pay grade, man.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, there you go. And something fun will be on for you to. For you to listen to. We will do more on the Finals and Myron's love affair with the city of Indianapolis. That's next here on Matt and Myron on ESPN Radio.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron, the podcast. Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the boy? Well, with LinkedIn ads, you can know you're reaching the right decision makers. You can even target buyers by job title, industry, company seniority, skills.

[Matt Jones]

Wait, did I say job title yet?

[Myron Metcalf]

Get started today and see how you can avoid the void and reach the right buyers with LinkedIn ads. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started at LinkedIn.com results, terms and conditions apply.

[Matt Jones]

You know that one friend who somehow knows everything about money? Yeah. Now imagine they live in your phone. Say hey to Experian, your big financial friend. It's the app that helps you check your FICO score, find ways to save, and basically feel like a financial genius. And guess what? It's totally free. So go on, download the Experian app. Trust me, having a BFF like this is a total game changer. Best two words in sport. We'll have a game seven to decide the NBA Championship. We've got to embrace the opportunity to be here, compete on the ultimate stage in the ultimate situation. We just have to understand that we can win if we do what we need to do better than Indiana does. I feel like we've got to create our own energy. Number one. It's the same desperation as last game to win or go home. We're very close to finishing the job, but very close doesn't get you far.

[Myron Metcalf]

Unless you finish it.

[Matt Jones]

The important part about winning the championship.

[Caller]

Is you got your name in history.

[Matt Jones]

As a group, we about to be starting something. And that thing is game seven tonight. 888, say ESPN. You know, we have a text machine. You can write in comments. 772-774-525-48886. But we got people on the phone. I'm gonna go to them. Some of which are mad that we're saying the series is boring. One person on the text machine writes, myron was all excited about something he bought in Vegas, but you stopped him. Talk about the magician. What did he buy that he's so excited about? I did miss that. What did you buy that you're excited?

[Myron Metcalf]

I feel like it's going to catch it. Catch on. I bought a man purse. So I've been walking around a man purse since Vegas. I. I keep everything in there. I keep my wallet, my keys, my Altoid. I'm an Altoids guy. Like, everything is in there. So I'm just walking around my man purse. It's just changed me.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Purse. That, that's. You have one, John? No.

[Myron Metcalf]

Do you have one?

[Matt Jones]

No, not at all. That. Because you're not trying to do that. I won't Listen, I'll let you try.

[Myron Metcalf]

Pockets are in the past.

[Matt Jones]

What?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, Pockets are in the past, man. Nobody's in the pockets.

[Matt Jones]

You have enough stuff that you need to carry something. You, as a man, take a backpack. A man purse is not.

[Myron Metcalf]

Whoa. You go from pockets to backpack, nothing in between.

[Matt Jones]

It's a very simple.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's ridiculous. Transition pockets to backpack man purse. It'll change you.

[Matt Jones]

What's. What brand is it? Did you get, like, a Mew Mew?

[Myron Metcalf]

No, no, I bought a. So I got a. Every time I go to Vegas, I buy a jersey, a soccer jersey of, like, a team, like, I just discovered. FC Burn. Mute. What's the FC Burn Munich. What's the name? You know, the red one?

[Matt Jones]

Who cares? Just give me the name of the.

[Myron Metcalf]

Okay. Adidas. It's an Adidas bag.

[Matt Jones]

That's not a fanny pack. Adidas. Wait a minute. Hang on. Adidas doesn't make purses. Did you buy a fanny pack?

[Myron Metcalf]

A man purse?

[Matt Jones]

Did you buy. You bought a fanny pack, didn't you?

[Myron Metcalf]

It's a man. It's not a. Don't call it. It's a man purse.

[Matt Jones]

Rachel. He bought a fanny over the shoulder man.

[Myron Metcalf]

Wear it across your body.

[Matt Jones]

My man has turned old and he's walking around with fanny pack over the AARP card.

[Myron Metcalf]

Fanny pack is around the waist. This is an over the shoulder across the body man.

[Rachel]

No, that's how kids are wearing fanny packs. I say, as someone who wears my bag like that.

[Matt Jones]

That is how kids are wearing. He. He bought a fanny pack. He thinks it's a purse, which. I don't know what's worse, buying a fanny pack or. Or hoping it's a purse. You have your Zubaz.

[Myron Metcalf]

Don't minimize. Don't minimize something that's changed my life.

[Matt Jones]

Wow.

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't minimize something that's changed my life.

[Matt Jones]

I'm.

[Myron Metcalf]

I am past pockets, which is a.

[Matt Jones]

Big achievement for me here on Sunday.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm a Big Pockets guy.

[Matt Jones]

Let's go to Michael in Florida. Michael, go ahead.

[Rachel]

Hey, good morning, guys.

[Matt Jones]

How are you doing? Doing good.

[Myron Metcalf]

How you doing?

[Rachel]

Hey, I'm doing fine. I disagree that this series is boring. As someone who likes basketball at its purest sense, this is team basketball. There's no necessarily superstar in is guys sharing the basketball, which is how us old guys who were taught to play basketball were taught.

[Matt Jones]

And I think that makes it actually. I actually don't think you're wrong about. This is a very. This is probably the most team centric basketball at the NBA Finals. Maybe since that Pistons team. But here's my question, Michael. When you are sitting with your grandkids in 15 years, give me the couple of moments from this series that will stick out to you the most.

[Rachel]

The Halliburton shot in the first game.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Rachel]

And the dunk that Siakam had in.

[Matt Jones]

The last game, like, in, like, the second quarter. Yeah, yeah, but that's what I'm saying. I mean, that's a nose.

[Myron Metcalf]

Gonna make a documentary, though.

[Matt Jones]

Like, nobody's. That's a game. You're right. The Halliburton shot in game one is. Is, I think, going to be the signature moment. But let's say that Oklahoma City wins. If Oklahoma City wins. Michael, what's their signature moment?

[Myron Metcalf]

They don't have one.

[Rachel]

It just. It's a team basketball.

[Matt Jones]

You know what this is, and I appreciate.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt, you know what this is? When we see those, like, weird NCAA tournaments where it's not as exciting and they have that weird one shining moment, you know, I mean, and everyone's sort of like, man, it wasn't really a moment. This is how this feels.

[Matt Jones]

Remember when Baylor won the national championship? Give me the defining. Give me the defining moment of Baylor, the national championship. That Scott Drew had a really nice comb over those last couple of games.

[Myron Metcalf]

It was good.

[Matt Jones]

It was.

[Myron Metcalf]

But, I mean, it's like that series where, I don't know. No one's gonna make a documentary about what we've just witnessed.

[Matt Jones]

They're not going to do a last dance about Oklahoma City. They're going to be like, well, you.

[Myron Metcalf]

Know, it would be on Tubi if they did it. It wouldn't be like, full production.

[Matt Jones]

The last dance to be 888, say ESPN. Let's go to John and go ahead, John.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yep.

[Caller]

Hey. How are you?

[Matt Jones]

Good, good.

[Myron Metcalf]

How you doing?

[Caller]

I listen. I listen to you guys every Sunday. In fact, I gave up church so I could listen to you, too. Especially when you're both there.

[Matt Jones]

Whoa.

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't want to be responsible for that.

[Matt Jones]

I don't want to be into that. Your soul is.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I want to get involved in.

[Matt Jones]

That because of us.

[Myron Metcalf]

Don't put us on that.

[Caller]

Well, anyway, I. I've really enjoyed the series, and I'll tell you, I think one of the keys is the two coaches. That Dagno is a really interesting story that he never played basketball. He was a student manager. And I think Rick Carlisle has made some amazing adjustments. And, you know, remember they had the thing a couple Years ago, the 15 best coaches of all time, and he wasn't on the list. And I think that's a huge omission that, you know, I think he brought the team back, you know, by adjustments on Halliburton and then the way he's using Matheran and McConnell.

[Matt Jones]

That's a valid point. I appreciate the call. I mean, Myron, this may be the series, especially if Indiana wins, but even if they lose, Rick Carlisle needs to go down as one of the legends of coaching. And I don't know that he's kind of gotten those flowers. And maybe after this series, he actually should.

[Myron Metcalf]

He. He should. But I also want to say, if you want to talk about how big a finals is, if the coach is one of the biggest stars in the series, then that tells you everything you need to know.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. How many people in the United States do you think could name the Oklahoma City coach?

[Myron Metcalf]

3.2%. How many can say his name the right way?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

Less than that.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I mean, I. How do you pronounce, like, dagno, by the way? Some of our bosses are like, matt, you shouldn't brag about what you don't know. And so I'm not gonna say, sure, I know how to pronounce the Oklahoma City coach's name. He and our boys, we talk to each other on the. On the phone all the time. I won't. I won't act like I don't know his name. More of your calls. Plus, what's the most brutal loss you've seen in sports? We'll do all of that next.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

What is Dadication?

[Myron Metcalf]

The thing that drives me every day.

[Matt Jones]

As a dad is Dariana. We call him Day Date for short.

[Myron Metcalf]

Every day, he's hungry for something, whether it's attention, affection, knowledge. And there's this huge responsibility in making.

[Matt Jones]

Sure that when he's no longer under.

[Myron Metcalf]

My wing that he's a good person. I want him to be able to sit back one day and go, we worked together. We did a good job.

[Matt Jones]

That's dedication. Find out [e-mail] brought to you by the U.S. department of Health and Human Services and the Ad Council. In 1979, the first words spoken on ESPN weren't just an announcement.

[Rachel]

If you're a fan, they were a sports prophecy.

[Myron Metcalf]

What you'll see in the next minutes.

[Matt Jones]

Hours, hours and days to follow. Glad you're with us tonight.

[Myron Metcalf]

May convince you you've gone to sports heaven. And right now, you're standing on the edge of tomorrow.

[Matt Jones]

This fall, the next era of ESPN begins sports forever. So we looked it up and Adidas officially does not make purses or backpacks. Adidas makes something they call. What do they call it, Rachel? A belt bag. A belt bag. So what you bought is known as a belt bag. Does that make you feel better?

[Myron Metcalf]

You may be on a site where it's. It's. I went to the actual Adidas store. So, I mean, yeah, Adidas.

[Matt Jones]

Us, Adidas. Adidas.com is what I'm on. And they have belt bag, and it's exactly what you described. So we will. So this is Sunday morning with Matt and belt bag. ESPN Radio. The text machine is 772-774-5254. One person writes, Matt, I am excited about the series tonight, but I agree with you. This series is way too long. They've got to stop three days between games. I forget the series is even going on with three days between games. I agree with that, too. There's no reason to have all this gap. And if you want to do the five, six, seven, where you go to each of the courts, then you're gonna have to do the two days. First of all, we've got planes. They go directly there. It's not like they're having to take a. They're not taking, you know, a train. They're not having my uncle Jeff drive them. Like, just. They've got an overnight chartered flight. We don't need all these days off.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'd actually like it more if your uncle Jeff drove. Like, if you had to get in, like, a pickup. If they had to take a caravan of pickup trucks to the next city, that'd be even more interesting.

[Matt Jones]

Indiana is not that far from each other either way. Like, that's not that long a flight. So I. We do not need all these days off. I'm confident that Damien in South Carolina. Damien, go ahead.

[Rachel]

Hey, guys. Love the show. Myron, I was trying to stick up for you with the whole fanny pack thing, but a belt bag, man. Oh, that's the fanny pack.

[Myron Metcalf]

We have different interpretations, but okay.

[Rachel]

Wanted to touch on the finals thing. I totally get your premise, Matt. On the final ceiling way too long. And. And also, Myron, nobody's going to make a documentary about these NBA Finals. One thing I did want to say, though, that kind of irks my nerves about the finals these days, and I think it kind of translates to people not remembering the starting lineups is the whole feel of the finals has kind of gotten lost. I feel like with, you know, the old NBC final shows where they would do the intros and not having that, like, I can Name the intro. The starting lineup for the Sixers from the 2001 Finals, for instance. So I think the whole.

[Matt Jones]

I actually agree with that. I totally agree with you. The presentation just doesn't feel that much different than a regular game. And I understand the whole don't put the trophy because the stickers and people might slip. But I do need to feel like, you know, when CBS does the NCAA Final Four, just that I know when the game starts, I'm about to watch something amazing. And then the. Oh, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun. Like, all that I knew.

[Myron Metcalf]

Wait, what song is that? Hold on. What song? What? So song that.

[Matt Jones]

Everyone knows the song I'm singing. Wait a minute. James, do you know it? The.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, that's the NBA Kentucky.

[Matt Jones]

And then Tim Robinson has a Saturday night basketball.

[Myron Metcalf]

Not that aggressive.

[Matt Jones]

You.

[Myron Metcalf]

Really aggressive.

[Matt Jones]

It's very aggressive. You sit there, aggressive. You're watching. You're watching. Er. And then it would come on and go.

[Myron Metcalf]

So they were, like, throwing cymbals at you as they were singing the song.

[Matt Jones]

Find the. Find the. Find the music. When he finds the music, you're gonna know. I think they're bringing it back next year. They are bringing it back for Amazon or whatever. And that music, it makes me feel like I'm about to watch something that matters. The. You know, CBS has it for the Final Four. I just. It doesn't have that. Even the World Series looks and feels, Myron, like a different baseball game than a regular baseball game. And for whatever reason, the NBA Finals, to me, it's hard not to feel like it's just a regular playoff or regular basketball game.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. I mean, it's. But I think part of that is the fact that the two teams are mostly unknown to the casual. Maybe that's, like. Maybe you don't have to build up Steph Curry versus LeBron or. Yeah, Akeem, you don't have to build up those guys. You were doing it like some crazed maestro. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Cause it's awesome.

[Myron Metcalf]

Like, whoa.

[Matt Jones]

Here's what I like.

[Myron Metcalf]

Your version is used in horror films.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know what version. They won't play the music. And you'll just be hearing me sing that. And that will be. That will be excellent. That is how you know a finals are coming, Scott. Well, we got a guy in indie I need to see. Chandler is an Indy. I. You know, I'm sorry I had to make fun of your city, but, you know, I hate it, but go ahead. Are you excited about tonight?

[Rachel]

I'm excited and I'm offended. Right now, if you guys want a documentary about this series, you must root for the Pacers. Here's the documentary. Halliburton game winner, each series. Pacers coming back seven points down numerous times. Less than a minute left. Pacers coming back 20 points down numerous times.

[Myron Metcalf]

Sir, they're gonna put that documentary on hgtv. Nobody's watching that.

[Matt Jones]

Listen, here. Here's what the documentary for an Indianapolis win would be. I will let you respond. Do you know the channel where you can just have firewood playing in the background? That for me. That for me would be the documentary, sir, about the Indiana Pacers.

[Rachel]

Hey, all you want. Hey, all you want. That is the documentary. Nobody else gonna watch it, though. Anything close to what the Pacers have done written off every single.

[Myron Metcalf]

That documentary is gonna lose $8 million in production costs because nobody's gonna go see it.

[Matt Jones]

Like, it's just.

[Myron Metcalf]

It's just the reality.

[Matt Jones]

Even Meghan Markle's production company would make fun of the Indiana Pacers document.

[Myron Metcalf]

Whoa, man.

[Matt Jones]

Well, her documentary stink, too. But I'm just saying to you, it's not something people are going to be interested in because, again, it's not fair. It's just Indiana. The Indiana Pacers. If you said before this series, name me something that matters about the Indiana Pacers. Historically, people would say Reggie Miller, and that's it. There would be nothing else they could say. And so part of what makes it, I think, hard for America is the Thunder have never really mattered. And then the Pacers have these. A couple of Reggie Miller, Spike Lee moments. Now, with that said, they have had some awesome comebacks, but I just don't feel like it's registered with the country as a whole. And I don't feel like they feel if they win, they deserve it, but they don't, Myron, feel like a worthy champion. Do you know what I mean?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I don't see. I don't agree with the worthy champion stuff. I mean, I think you beat the best team in the NBA, at least in terms of record tonight. You are definitely a worthy champion. I just don't think, like, this feels, like, anticlimactic in a lot of ways. No matter what happens tonight, if you go back to.

[Matt Jones]

You have to go back to, like, to find a team to win a championship without a superstar, like, someone that the whole country agrees as a top 10 player. You can go back to, like, 1980, and the only one you can find is that 04 Pistons team. And that one felt like, okay, there's this starting five we know all five. And they are a collective unit. Do you feel that way about the Indiana group?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, they're the Kimball Walker UConn team of the NBA.

[Matt Jones]

But you can say Kimball Walker. Kimball Walker was the best player in college basketball this year. Tyrese Halliburton is not even a top 10 player in the league.

[Myron Metcalf]

And so it's the 2014 UConn team then.

[Matt Jones]

You know, Shabazz Napier, you may be right. That's what it is. And does anybody remember that team?

[Myron Metcalf]

No.

[Matt Jones]

There's no documentaries, and I think that's going to be kind of what this is. Either Tim is in Oklahoma City to give him a chance to have a balanced reaction. Tim?

[Rachel]

Yeah. No, I agree with the guy. I think you guys, espn, everybody has fumbled this whole thing. That's the reason nobody knows anything because we didn't get Christmas games. You guys have talked about how none of us, I mean, haven't talked about us at all in Oklahoma City. We've had the best record last two years. We haven't had a chance because we've been too young. All this and that. You guys make money off of this series. ESPN makes money off of this series. Promote these teams. We are good teams. We obviously made it here to for a reason. The fans of LA and New York, like you guys probably are, that want to root for the big market.

[Myron Metcalf]

I live in Kentucky.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so stop. I live in Kentucky. I'm not. Just for the record, I'm not a fan of LA and New York. I live, Tim, in a place a lot closer to you than I do these other teams. Just for the record.

[Rachel]

Yeah, well, like I said, the 30 for 30 that you want, it's going to be in three or four years. You guys better start figuring out how to promote Oklahoma City, because we're not going anywhere. If you've seen what we got stacked up with our draft picks, with the roster that we have put together. So, no, your best player.

[Matt Jones]

I watched your best player play in high school. I mean, two of your top eight guys played at Kentucky. I want to be on your side. And I actually agree. Myron, he has a very good point about the league promoting. The league has not promoted these young guys to the extent that the average fan would care. I know Shea Alexander because of his time at uk, but if you didn't, I can see why people would go, who cares about Shea Alexander?

[Myron Metcalf]

But let's all have an honest conversation as adults here. You promote the teams that people are going to watch. So, I mean, there's also an element Of I can't make the casual fan in Georgia or Chicago care about okc. So, like, you can say no one's promoting them. No. People want to watch the warriors and the Lakers and these other teams. And as great as OKC has been, to me, what they fumbled was an opportunity to have one of the more dominant runs we've seen by a young team. They could have blown through the Denver Nuggets. They didn't. Seven game series, they beat the Timberwolves. Fine. Now you're at a seven game series with the number four seed of the Eastern Conference. I think people were waiting for OKC to be great and then right now they just look good. And I think that to me is what has limited some of the interest from people.

[Matt Jones]

Part of it is special and you're talking to a Shay Gilgis Alexander, you know, a massive fan. Part of it is Myron. He's a hard guy to market because he's so quiet.

[Myron Metcalf]

He is.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, if I, if I'm going to sit here and look at the Caliperi era and tell you the 10 best players, a lot of times people will forget Shea Alexander because he's, you know, John Wall, Anthony Davis, Carl Towns, Malik Monk, Jamal Murray, all these guys. I can give you dudes with big personalities. Shay's quiet, you know, what do you. What does the average person even know about Shea Alexander? Now, that doesn't make him not great, but he's got, he's like Tim Duncan in the sense of Tim Duncan was. But Myron, what did we know about Tim Duncan? Almost nothing.

[Myron Metcalf]

That was a really good comparison that he very Tim Duncan. Like. I've honestly heard more interviews from SGA's dad on Jeff Teague's podcast. I've actually heard from him. Oh, the dad is like, if they win a championship, they got to get a hold of him because he's.

[Matt Jones]

He's just the dad on up to podcast now. That's a whole other level. You got to wonder, how did that dad produce that son in terms of first half?

[Myron Metcalf]

Whole different thing.

[Matt Jones]

Whole different thing. Thunder Pacers Game 7 on ESPN Radio tonight we'll do more of your calls and look at some other things going on in the world of sports, including one of the toughest losses I've ever seen anyone take that.

[Myron Metcalf]

Sunday morning, Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Applebee's on date night. We interviewed this guy a couple weeks ago. What was his name again?

[Myron Metcalf]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

What was his name again? Esophagus. Walker. Walker Hayes. Walker Hayes. He was Very nice guy. I liked him, which is not a word, but Walker Hayes is a very nice guy.

[Myron Metcalf]

Kentucky philosophy.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, he was a good philosopher. Right outside of pine esophagus, but Walker Hayes and I wish him the best. And that song's terrible, but he was a. He was very nice. Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio Life. Yes, it did. We. We. I want to go to something else, but there's one. One person that's asked to. To get in here, and it's Russ in Dayton. And Russ, you. You had a strong opinion. I wanted to make sure you got to speak.

[Caller]

Well, first of all, good to talk to you boys. Most underrated show on espn. Been following you guys for years.

[Matt Jones]

I agree. I wish you would tell other people, and I don't. I mean, I don't think it's the fans because we get an audience. Tell our bosses, Russ. Just if you see them, let them know, but go ahead.

[Caller]

Well, I'll give you an example. Like, I want to be able to find you on podcast during the week if I miss you on Sundays. That's just one small example, but.

[Matt Jones]

Well, it's on there. It's on there. You can subscribe. It's on there Sunday mornings of Matt Meyer. And we did get that done. So. So go ahead and. Go ahead and grab that. But go ahead.

[Caller]

All right. If nothing else, there's a winner right there. But, boys, I find myself split evenly. Man, I love. You know, I'm just outside of Cincinnati. Love you know what you're bringing.

[Rachel]

But the.

[Caller]

The merse, the man purse that Myron is talking about is so underrated. I got one about three years ago now. His background. I have two daughters that are 13 and 12. I have an ex wife. I have a fiance. Even my two dogs are girls. They need things. So inside of it, I renamed it Immerse. Myron's right. A fanny pack goes around the waist. You know how many times you need chapstick, you need station, whatever. I find myself at Sephora. And then you can.

[Matt Jones]

You can idle. There's a couple things you're saying there. Right. For you as well. You said, you know how many times you need chapstick? All right, fair enough. But then you said, how many times you need facial? And you find yourself at Sephora. Yeah, that doesn't happen to me. There are very few times that I just find myself at Sephora and I'm like, I'm in need of a facial at this very moment, sir.

[Caller]

Not for me.

[Myron Metcalf]

Put on your face.

[Rachel]

They need things.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Caller]

Got keys You've got.

[Myron Metcalf]

What do you put on your face?

[Caller]

A lot of my buddies dip. They're able to like do things like that. It's inside your immerse. The merce is a real thing.

[Myron Metcalf]

Myron, the mercy. He's right though.

[Matt Jones]

I don't.

[Myron Metcalf]

I've had it for three days and it has changed my life. I mean, I've. The last three days have just been like, I'm, I'm, I'm. You know, pockets are out.

[Matt Jones]

You were asking me what do I put on my purse? What do you mean? My face.

[Myron Metcalf]

Your face. Like you said, you don't.

[Matt Jones]

I do use, I will freely admit, moisturizer, but I'm able to do it in non emergency situations. Like I can do it at home. I don't feel like the need to take it with me when I go out and say this is an emergency moisturizer moment. That doesn't tend to happen with me.

[Myron Metcalf]

Okay, well, you know, maybe something to consider. You've never had an emergency moisturizing situation?

[Matt Jones]

Not that I have. I have had moments where I needed water though. I had moments.

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, I keep lotion with me though. Right? You keep it with you, right?

[Matt Jones]

You just take lotion out with you every day. Everywhere you go, you take lotion.

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, I don't want to be, I don't, I don't ever want to be dry. You know, in the black community, like it's called ashy. And that's like the worst thing you can be. Like being ashy is like you would rather anything. You'd rather be broke than ashy. You know what I mean?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

You just get judged and then once you're ashy people, it sticks with you. You can't like overcome.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, you can't overcome ashy.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's like, you know, ashy, Mike. You can't like it just 15 years later, it stays with them.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, so I keep. That doesn't. You know, in Appalachia we don't, we don't call people ashy. And like, it's just not something that comes up in our, in our world. So everybody's got a different.

[Myron Metcalf]

I went to an event in Brooklyn real quick. Went to an event, Brooklyn. I check in, the woman goes, hey, wait right here. She goes into her purse, pulls out lotion. She says, you need this.

[Matt Jones]

Really?

[Myron Metcalf]

Bottle lotion. A black woman handed me a bottle lotion before I went into the event.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, well, okay, since we're telling it just real quickly. I was at the NBA summer league once and I met this guy he was a scout for an NBA team. And I was really. This was the year Wall was in the summer league. And I was really felt like I was connecting with him. I was like, hey, man. And we were talking, and I'm like, this is my best friend, I think. And then at the end of the day, he looks at me and goes, hey, man. Looks like we're seated next to each other every day in the summer league. I really like you. Do me a favor. Tomorrow morning, will you brush your teeth before you come? Your breath's not very good. You want to talk about knocking you out under your knees? Just absolutely. This dude. Just like I want you to imagine hearing John Wall, who said, no, no, no. This is an NBA scout saying, sitting next to me at the John Wall game.

[Myron Metcalf]

He said that to you?

[Matt Jones]

He said that to me. And so then I brushed my teeth like 15 times before I came the next day. And to his credit, I've never not brushed my teeth in the morning again because of that moment.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's the ashiness of the white community. Like, if that breath stinks.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, you're exactly right. Okay. Arkansas and LSU played in the College World Series. First of all, game one of the College World Series already happened. LSU beat Coastal Carolina in the first game of the finals. They'll play again today, but before that, LSU beat Arkansas. And I don't know if you saw this game, Myron, but Arkansas was going to have to beat LSU two straight games. LSU is down 5 to 3. Arkansas's got a 53 lead. LSU hits a fly ball to left field. If the Arkansas guy catches it, the game is over and they'll go to a winner, take off to get to go the finals. Instead, he trips and he falls the outfielder, and when he falls down, it goes off his glove. LSU ties the game, and then they end up winning. It was one of the more embarrassing gaffes I've ever seen in sports. After the game was over, he cried. It was. It was hard to watch. His teammates embraced him to try to cheer him up. But at that point, you're sort of inconsolable when that happens. Did you see the moment? And if you did, what were your thoughts?

[Myron Metcalf]

Immediately, I felt terrible for him. You know, my thought is, in a social media age, you know, like, it sticks to you in ways it may not have 25 years ago. So my first thought was, I hope his team had his back. You know, I hope everybody was surrounding him and telling them, hey, man, you know, happens to the worst. The best of us hope they say.

[Matt Jones]

Happens to the worst of us, happens to the.

[Myron Metcalf]

Happens to the best of us. But it just was like, man, for it to happen like that, you. You would have been better off not making any contact. Right? Like, it tips his glove so. It doesn't tip his glove. It's like, all right, it's over your glove. What can you do about it? But it didn't look to me like he had a real chance.

[Matt Jones]

It fell. No, he tripped and fell. If he hadn't fallen, he catches it. He tripped and fell. And it, like, things happen. I was trying to think what the worst moment like that in sports history is. Is it. Is it Fred Brown in the NCAA tournament throwing the ball to North Carolina? Is it Scott Norwood missing the field goal in the Super Bowl? Is it Buckner? Like, what's the Weber? But Weber, they were down, so it was a terrible moment. They were still losing, though.

[Myron Metcalf]

It's Buckner, probably, but, I mean, Buckner is the. What you think? Who's the guy scored the own goal in the World Cup?

[Matt Jones]

Oh, the guy for Columbia. Yeah. They sadly, I think, murdered that guy. I think so. It was awful. My thoughts go to that guy. I really felt sorry for him. I hope everything's all right. We're going to take more of your calls and more of these topics next on espn.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron, the podcast.