Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron – Episode: Hour 1: Matt Makes Everyone Mad Release Date: May 25, 2025

Hosted by Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf of ESPN Radio, "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" delivers an engaging and comprehensive dive into the world of sports every Sunday morning. In this episode titled "Matt Makes Everyone Mad," the hosts navigate through a whirlwind of sporting events, heated playoff discussions, and spirited debates about the cities that host them.

1. Memorial Day Weekend Sports Extravaganza

[00:35] Myron Medcalf

The episode kicks off with Myron setting the stage for a bustling Memorial Day weekend in sports. He highlights a variety of significant events taking place, emphasizing the global nature of the weekend's lineup:

• Monaco Grand Prix in France: Described as a glamorous event with "beautiful people, beautiful boats, and terrible racing" due to stagnant car performances. "As no cars pass each other," Myron laments, suggesting a lack of excitement on the track.

• Indy 500 & Coca Cola 600: Premier automobile racing events that draw massive crowds and intense competition.

• French Open: One of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, attracting top talent and tennis aficionados.

• Soccer Action: Specifically, Charlton Orient facing Layton Orient in the League Two promotion final, dubbed the most significant day in the Premier League.

• NBA and NHL Conference Finals: Both leagues are deep into their playoff runs, heightening the stakes for teams and fans alike.

[01:48] Myron Medcalf: Highlights the promotion aspects, mentioning "Progressive Insurance, here live on what is a beautiful Memorial Day weekend..." setting a vibrant tone for the discussions ahead.

2. NBA Playoffs Under Scrutiny

[03:15] Matt Jones & Myron Medcalf

Transitioning into the heart of the episode, Matt and Myron delve into the ongoing NBA Conference Finals. The focal point is the Minnesota Timberwolves' astonishing performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

[05:07] Matt Jones: Analyzes Minnesota's historic run, stating, "The Timberwolves literally played the greatest basketball half in the history of the franchise." He praises players like Anthony Edwards and Terrence Shannon Jr., who outshone even the MVP of the NBA.

[07:05] Myron Medcalf: Reflects on the unpredictability of the series, noting, "This series has been brutal for the NBA because on one hand, it's a chance to showcase maybe the two best young stars, SGA and Anthony Edwards. And on the other hand... huge leads or huge deficits." He expresses frustration over the lack of close, competitive games, questioning the future dynamics of the series.

[09:14] Myron Medcalf: Criticizes the large point differentials in playoff games, arguing that "sports fans really don't want their teams to win by 40 points" as it diminishes the drama and engagement of the games.

3. The Boring City Debate: Oklahoma City vs. Indianapolis

[10:01] Matt Jones & Myron Medcalf

A heated and humorous debate ensues between Matt and Myron regarding the liveliness of the cities hosting major sports events. Myron smirks through the conversation, asserting, "If you were in the NBA, in the NBA media world, they act like the question is whether or not he's a good quarterback, etc. That's not the question. Question is, is he a max 60 million dollar quarterback?"

[11:20] Matt Jones: Defends cities like Indianapolis by highlighting their unique offerings. "I had a great burger in Nebraska some years ago. Nebraska's got some good stuff, man."

[11:53] Myron Medcalf: Challenges the notion of city appeal, especially criticizing Indianapolis and Oklahoma City as "boring." He remarks, "If you want to know what the Indy 500 is like, go to auto mechanic garage and just inhale."

The banter becomes more intense as they engage with listeners:

[16:35] Brianna (Caller from Indianapolis): Defends her city passionately, "We're a huge sports town... there are going to be 350,000 people in a small town in Speedway, Indiana."

[17:01] Myron Medcalf: Attempts to counter Brianna's points, humorously dismissing Indianapolis as ideal only for specific events like the Indy 500, while maintaining his stance on its overall dullness.

4. Special Guest Segment: Norris Cole Joins the Conversation

[26:11] Guest: Brianna

Introducing Norris Cole, the hosts expand the discussion to include perspectives on basketball's evolution. Norris engages in a dynamic conversation about the contrast between old-school and modern NBA players.

[28:32] Brianna: Offers a balanced view, acknowledging, "I respect both eras. I try not to disrespect either one."

[30:04] Brianna: Pushes back against Myron's critique of older NBA players, stating, "The average player in the NBA in 2025 is better than the average player in the 80s." She emphasizes the physicality and defensive prowess of past players, questioning if modern players can handle such challenges.

[33:46] Myron Medcalf: Shifts focus to the Knicks and Pacers series, particularly critiquing player performances and team strategies.

5. Knicks vs. Pacers: A Deep Dive

[31:16] Brianna:

Analyzes the New York Knicks' resilience in the playoffs, advising, "They have to buckle down and get one win because all the games have been close." She underscores the importance of focusing on details and maintaining composure under pressure.

[32:10] Matt Jones: Criticizes the Knicks' strategic choices, especially concerning Carl Anthony Towns' limited playtime in crucial moments. He questions, "What do you do if you're Carl Anthony Towns? I mean, how should he handle that?"

[32:31] Brianna: Emphasizes accountability, "If you're a star player, you get to shoot most of the shots... you cannot be a liability." She references past champions who prioritized defense and team play over individual accolades.

6. Listener Calls and Interactive Debate

[35:00] Listener: Jamie from Indiana

Jamie passionately defends Indiana, particularly highlighting the grandeur of the Indy 500 and criticizing the hosts' portrayal of the city. Myron counters humorously, dismissing parts of Indiana as extensions of Chicago and reiterating his stance on city dullness.

[43:35] Listener: Tony from New York

Engages in a robust debate about the capabilities of 80s NBA players, challenging Myron's assertions. Norris Cole interjects to defend the skills of past legends like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, ensuring respect for both eras.

[46:28] Myron Medcalf: Wraps up the listener segment by teasing future topics, particularly WNBA stories, maintaining the show's interactive and engaging format.

7. Controversial Takes: Brock Purdy's Contract

[38:51] Myron Medcalf:

Delves into the NFL, specifically criticizing Brock Purdy's hefty contract. Myron predicts, "You'll never win a Super Bowl or make a Super Bowl with Brock Purdy at 60 million each." He argues that such contracts hinder teams from acquiring other talented players, emphasizing budget constraints over strategic team-building.

[39:21] Matt Jones: Challenges Myron’s stance by acknowledging the market dynamics, saying, "But you just don't like those next tier quarterbacks at all." He underscores the necessity of financial decisions in shaping team rosters.

[41:26] Myron Medcalf: Reiterates his position, preferring to invest in moderately priced quarterbacks rather than overpaying for mid-tier talent. "I'd rather have the great quarterback or the rookie quarterback. That's good. But I'm not paying 60 million for Brock Purdy."

Conclusion

Throughout this episode, Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf deliver a spirited and in-depth exploration of current sports events, particularly focusing on the NBA playoffs and the dynamics within key series. Their candid debates about city liveliness and player contracts, coupled with interactive listener segments, offer a multifaceted perspective on the ever-evolving sports landscape. Special guest contributions from figures like Norris Cole enrich the conversation, providing expert insights and balancing opinions.

Notable Quotes:

• Myron Medcalf [05:07]: "The Timberwolves literally played the greatest basketball half in the history of the franchise."
• Matt Jones [30:04]: "If you're a star player, you get to shoot most of the shots."
• Brianna [31:16]: "They have to buckle down and get one win because all the games have been close."
• Myron Medcalf [38:51]: "You'll never win a Super Bowl or make a Super Bowl with Brock Purdy at 60 million each."

This detailed summary encapsulates the vibrant discussions, expert analyses, and entertaining debates that Matt and Myron bring to their listeners every Sunday morning.