Hour 2: Dan Povenmire & Jeff "Swampy" Marsh join the show...

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron – Episode Summary: Hour 2 Featuring Dan Povenmire & Jeff "Swampy" Marsh

Release Date: June 1, 2025

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I. Introduction and Guest Welcome

The episode kicks off with Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf welcoming their special guests, Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, the creative minds behind the beloved animated series Phineas and Ferb. Early in the conversation, Matt shares an ongoing joke from the show, highlighting the camaraderie between the hosts and guests.

Matt [00:30]: "This has been an ongoing joke for over four years on this show. Dan and Jeff are here. Dan, Jeff, thank you very much for your time..."

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II. Phineas and Ferb’s Enduring Popularity

A. Resonance Across Generations

Dan and Jeff express their delight at how Phineas and Ferb continues to captivate both young audiences and the older generation who grew up watching the original series. They share anecdotes about new fans discovering the show, emphasizing its timeless appeal.

Dan Povenmire [02:40]: "It's really cool. We hear that from people all the time. That, oh, my five or six year old has started watching Phineas and Ferb..."

B. Creation and Voice Acting

The conversation delves into their journey of creating the show, particularly how they ventured into voice acting by hiring themselves for the roles. They discuss the confidence and acting backgrounds that facilitated this decision.

Jeff Marsh [03:32]: "We just created the show and hired ourselves. That's the easiest way to get into voice acting."

C. Upcoming Season: "The Rebirth of Phineas and Ferb"

Dan and Jeff reveal exciting news about the new season titled The Rebirth of Phineas and Ferb, slated to premiere on June 5th across Disney platforms. They discuss their long-standing collaboration since 1990 and offer insights into maintaining a successful creative partnership.

Dan Povenmire [05:04]: "We created the show so that we could continue to work together... We're just always trying to make the story or the joke better."

D. Interactive Voice Clip Segment

In a lighthearted segment, Matt attempts to mimic character voices from Phineas and Ferb, prompting laughter and friendly critiques from Dan and Jeff.

Dan Povenmire [10:54]: "It's pretty close, actually."

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III. Transition to Sports Discussions

Following the engaging conversation on animation, Matt and Myron seamlessly transition to their primary focus: the sports world.

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IV. Wrestling News: R Truth’s Departure from WWE

Matt brings attention to the surprising news of R Truth’s release from WWE. David Dennis Jr., ESPN’s NBA analyst and wrestling enthusiast, shares his bewilderment, questioning the authenticity of the release and speculating on possible behind-the-scenes narratives.

David Dennis Jr. [23:47]: "I find it hard to believe this dude would get released. He just had one of the highest-rated episodes of the show..."

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V. NBA Focus: New York Knicks Season Analysis

A. Season Overview: Successes and Setbacks

The hosts dissect the Knicks' season, acknowledging their impressive performance in the playoffs by overcoming teams like Cleveland and Boston. However, they also critique the team's inability to advance further, labeling their conference final exit as both a success and a failure.

David Dennis Jr. [24:52]: "If you look at the beginning of the season... making it past Cleveland and Boston... that is a win. But blowing it in the conference final feels like a failure."

B. Spotlight on Carl Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Carl Anthony Towns’ inconsistent performances and his dynamic with teammate Jalen Brunson. Matt passionately defends Towns, highlighting his career achievements and questioning the disproportionate criticism he faces compared to Brunson.

Matt [27:17]: "Carl Anthony Towns... a top 20 player in the NBA... why do people always want to get rid of Carl?"

David provides a balanced perspective, acknowledging Towns' talents while addressing defensive issues when paired with Brunson.

David Dennis Jr. [29:44]: "Carl Anthony Towns is an up and down roller coaster of a player... he's an infuriating great player."

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VI. NHL Highlight: Thunder vs. Pacers Series Anticipation

Shifting gears to hockey, the hosts express their excitement for the upcoming Thunder-Pacers Stanley Cup Final rematch. David predicts a swift series win for the Thunder but commends both teams for their competitive spirit.

David Dennis Jr. [35:07]: "Thunder going to win in four or five. Each individual game is going to be pretty great."

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VII. Interactive Segment: “Guess that Wildcat”

A. Identifying John Wall

The segment features a game where Matt and Myron guess notable Kentucky Wildcats alumni. Through a series of clues, they successfully identify John Wall, celebrating his legacy and impact on basketball.

Myron [42:22]: "You are correct."

B. Celebrating John Wall’s Career

The hosts delve into John Wall's impressive career highlights, including his viral entrance dance, his speed on the court, and his influence during the one-and-done era in college basketball.

Myron [43:07]: "If you tell me who are the fastest human beings I've ever seen with a basketball... John Wall is at the top of that list for me."

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VIII. Closing Remarks and Teasers

As the episode wraps up, Matt and Myron tease upcoming segments, including further discussions on the NBA Finals, the Super Bowl, and their live appearance at CMA Fest in Nashville. They maintain a light and engaging tone, keeping listeners excited for future episodes.

Myron [36:09]: "Matt and Myron, the podcast."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Matt [00:30]: "This has been an ongoing joke for over four years on this show..."
• Dan Povenmire [03:32]: "We just created the show and hired ourselves."
• Jeff Marsh [03:35]: "I've been doing voices for shows over in England..."
• David Dennis Jr. [24:52]: "If you look at the beginning of the season... that is a win."
• Matt [27:17]: "Carl Anthony Towns... a top 20 player in the NBA... why do people always want to get rid of Carl?"
• David Dennis Jr. [35:07]: "Thunder going to win in four or five."
• Myron [43:07]: "If you tell me who are the fastest human beings I've ever seen with a basketball... John Wall is at the top of that list for me."

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Conclusion

In this episode of Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron, listeners are treated to an insightful blend of entertainment and sports commentary. The engaging discussion with Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh offers a nostalgic yet fresh perspective on Phineas and Ferb, while the subsequent sports analysis provides depth on current NBA and NHL topics. The interactive segments and notable quotes enhance the episode's richness, making it both informative and enjoyable for a diverse audience.

Transcript

[Matt]

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[Myron]

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[Matt]

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[Myron]

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[Matt]

Availability, amount of discounts, and savings and eligibility vary by state.

[Myron]

This is Matt and Myron the podcast.

[Matt]

It is Sunday morning. Matt Myron, Dan Pavanot Meyer and Jeff Swampy Marsh, co creators of Phineas and Ferb. I don't think you really hear it in that clip, but just so that our guests can hear it play. You had me in the Voice. When I get excited, you had me say one of the things they say on the show. Go ahead and play that Rachel, of when I say, what is it? Perry the Platypus. A platypus. Paddy the Platypus. That's where they get this. This has been an ongoing joke for over four years on this show. Dan and Jeff are here. Dan, Jeff, thank you very much for your time and I appreciate you dealing with this thing. I get calls about forever.

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

Good to be here. Well, I think my job is safe.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

I don't know, Dan. I think we should try him out.

[Matt]

Perry the Platypus. Is that.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Is that what you're talking about?

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

It's close. It's close. I give it a solid B plus.

[Matt]

Okay, well, thank you. I'll take that. You know, I have friends that I've known since college who, they have kids and sometimes I'm like, how do I relate to my friend's kids? And today is the day, guys. That is the first time they ever thought I might be a little bit famous. They are so excited that I'm interviewing you guys. So literally. Dan, Jeff, you all clearly. And these are like young kids have created something that transcends time.

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

Yeah, it's been good that it seems to have really resonated with the young people.

[Matt]

So this show came well in the old.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

Yeah, the old people, too.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Yeah.

[Matt]

This show.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

Parents seem to like this show as well.

[Matt]

2008 to 2015, and now you're bringing it back. And it does seem like a new generation has picked it up. That's got to be really cool for you guys, right?

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

It's pretty awesome.

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

It's really cool. We hear that from people all the time. That, oh, my. You know, my five or six year old has started watching Phineas and Ferb because that's Sort of. You know, we didn't. We weren't there for that generation. And. And that seems to be a big thing now that younger kids are starting to discover it.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

I love the people who say, I watched it growing up, and they're now saying, I have kids that I'm introducing it to, which is really gratifying and cool, but also makes you feel kind of old.

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

How did you all decide that, you know, know that you were voice actors? I've always wanted to get into voice acting. You know, like cartoon kind of thing. How did you all know that you all could do this and do it this way?

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

We just. We just created the show and hired ourselves.

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

That's the easiest way to get into voice acting.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

Yeah, I've been doing voices for shows over in England when I was working over there. Just started doing some fun stuff. And Dan and I both have acting in our backgrounds. We both were thespians in our younger life, so we were just cocky enough to think we could do it. That didn't stop Disney from making us audition for our own roles on our own shows. But at the end of the day, we gave ourselves.

[Matt]

They made you audition for your own roles? That seems kind of rude.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

It does seem kind of rude. But we were pretty confident that we could nail the audition.

[Myron]

Well, if you all are looking for any, you know, actors, let me know. I'd love to.

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

Yeah.

[Matt]

The new series starts on June the fifth. That's Thursday. It was originally on the Disney Channel. Now be on there, Disney plus, et cetera. You guys have been working together on and off since 1990, when you were on the Simpsons. Now, Myron and I have been working together since 2018, which feels like a long time, but not nearly as long as you all have. So how do you give us some advice for being able to work with the same person for that long, Dan?

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

Well, we don't. Don't violate the restraining order.

[Myron]

Yes, exactly.

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

Yeah, we just don't violate the restraining order, and then, you know, we have to keep 10ft apart. But no, we just always enjoyed writing together. We were thrown together as a writing team on a show called Rocco's mom and Life on Nickelodeon years ago. And we just enjoyed writing together so much that we just, you know, like, we created the show so that we could continue to work together.

[Matt]

But.

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

But the real thing is that we're just both always trying to make the story or the joke better. We're not trying to. We don't have any agenda that is selfish in there at all. It's Never. Like, I want my idea to go over your idea. We just want the best idea. And so we never really butt heads against that because we know the other person is really just trying to get the best for the show, and that's what we both want.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

So which one of you we have.

[Matt]

Go ahead.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

No, I just said we have arguments, you know, occasionally about stuff in the show. But it's like Dan said, it's never about us. It's about the show. And that's the kind of trust you have to have to have a partnership this long is to be able to battle this stuff out and never think it's about ego. It's just about getting a better show. And that makes it easy.

[Matt]

Jeff, I'll start with you on this, and then you can go, Dan, when did you know there's always a moment in something that's, like, big? When did you know this had become, like, a cultural phenomenon, that this had been something that was beyond in your brains and this thing you put together, but it's something that was really resonating.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

Well, first of all, it's weird hearing you call me Jeff, because right about now, the only person who still calls me Jeff is my mom. So I think about to scold me or something.

[Matt]

Oh, sorry, Jeffrey. How's that?

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

That's really. Oh, my God. What did I do? I'm sorry. No, we had. You know, I've talked about it. There was a couple of moments. The first one I remember is I. The show hadn't been on the air that long, and I was at a skating rink with my son, who was a hockey player, and we were just out. He was skating for fun. And this little girl came skating by, cute as a button, singing the Swinter song that we'd written. And I'd never heard somebody in public singing a song spontaneously that I'd written. And I started singing along with her, and she skated over to me. We sang the entire song together, and she looked at me. She goes, wow, that's so cool. How do you know that song? And I watch a little tv. That's cool. But it was just this moment when I realized the show had connected with the audience in such a huge and meaningful way. I think the second moment came shortly after that when somebody posted online that they'd gotten a Perry the Platypus Agent Pea tattoo. And I kind of started to mock them a little bit. It's like, wow, who'd get this tattooed on their body? And then I scrolled down the social media post and it was this mom explaining that this was the show that she and her daughter would watch so that they would have a moment of lightness and happiness while her child was going through chemo for cancer. And you're like, oh, my. And we realized that it really had an impact. It had really connected with people in a meaningful way and was bringing positivity was incredibly humbling. But, boy, right at that moment, you realize, oh, wow, this show's really out there and really big.

[Matt]

Yeah, that's. That's real. That's a special thing, Dan. All right, so I think that the. Go ahead.

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

I think the moment for me was I was in an airport at like 4am Like, a trip had gotten really delayed, and I was coming back from Venezuela. My first wife, my ex wife was Venezuelan. Still is. She hasn't changed her name, but she was still born in the same place. But we're coming back. It's like 4 in the morning, and there's a bunch of people who are sort of tired and trying to get on the next plane and stuff. And these two little Venezuelan kids were playing next to me and the little girl. Like, you know, they're sort of play wrestling. And then the little girl breaks apart and she. And she. And she does a karate pose and she goes, perry El nitarinco, which is Perry the Platypus in Spanish.

[Matt]

Oh, cool.

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

And I was like, oh, my gosh. And there was nothing I could think to say to her or her mom in my broken Spanish that wouldn't, I think, sound creepy. Like, you know, I was like, hey, I did that. I just let that happen. And I was like, that's really cool. I'm international now.

[Matt]

That is really cool. Both those stories are great. All right, so before you go. And the new show, new season premieres on June 5th. The Rebirth of Phineas and Ferb. We're going to play this is. They had me. And I'm going to be honest with you, until that caller called a few years ago and said that I had never seen the show and I have seen it since. And now they had me try to do Doofenshmirtz the way that you did. We're going to play some clips of you and me, Dan, doing it, and then you all could tell me how it goes. So go ahead and play those right now.

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

Excellent.

[Matt]

A platypus. Paddy the Platypus. A platypus. Parry the platypus. I will become overlord the entire.

[Myron]

When did you do this?

[Matt]

They had me record. Feels like that's pretty good, isn't it?

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

It's pretty close. It's pretty close, actually.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

It's not bad. But I just wanted to ask, your job at ESPN is safe, right?

[Matt]

I hope so. I hope so. Okay, I guess I'm not gonna be able to get the audition with you guys. June 5th, Disney Disney Channel. It is the new season of Phineas and Ferb. Do me a favor because this will make me the coolest. Like friend, uncle. Say hello to Natalie and Olivia for me. Will you do that?

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

Hello, Natalie and Olivia. It's Becker Heinz Doolfenshwood from Dolphins Firs People Incorporated saying you're young, you could still pivot and go into evo as a vocation, as a career. There's a lot of wide. It's a wide opportunity.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

You should pursue a career in goodness. It's much better. And join the owca.

[Matt]

Love it. You are the best. Thank you very much. Dan, Bob and Meyer. Jeff Swampy Marsh, who friends like me called Jeffrey the co creators of Phineas and Ferb. Thank you guys very much.

[Jeff Swampy Marsh]

Matt, Myron, thank you guys. Appreciate it and keep watching the show, man.

[Matt]

Thank you very much. I will. I will catch up and watch the new ones. It is Matt and Myron here on Sunday morning. We'll be right back.

[Myron]

Matt and Myron. The Podcast.

[Matt]

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[Myron]

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[Matt]

Morning here with Matt Myron on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. We are ready game one Thunder and the Pacers on ESPN Radio Thursday night at 7:30. I don't like, Myron, that the series ends for both hockey and the NBA and then they don't play like no game tonight, no game Monday, no game Tuesday. Stanley cup starts Wednesday and then NBA Thursday. Don't you think they should just like go right back or do you like the break to kind of give the teams a chance to rest?

[Myron]

Yeah, I mean celibacy, I'd like to see them start right away. But you know, I also get take a little break and then have a.

[Matt]

Little build up Thursday and they wait a full week. Do they need a full week to wait to get going?

[Myron]

Maybe not. But I mean I don't mind it. It's not, it's not that big of a deal. I think it's fans, we got to recover a little bit too. It's been a lot of basketball Sunday.

[Matt]

Sunday morning is presented by Progressive Insurance. Life can be hard. So fans recover. We're all so tired. So Progressive makes bundling your home and auto easy. Hope that helps. Learn [e-mail] or 1-800-Progressive. It is Sunday headlines. We're going to tell you the stories that maybe haven't been at the top of the news with all the NBA, et cetera up first.

[Unknown]

All right. Yeah. So we have a rematch in the Stanley cup final. It'll be the. Who is it? The Panthers and the Oilers. Man, I was gonna say I'm looking at, I'm looking at the stars. I'm looking at star.

[Matt]

By the way, this is this when you turn on Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings. When I was a kid they did usually start the news with now what happened today? Okay, so who is it in the final?

[Unknown]

So it's the Panthers and the Oilers for the second straight year. And that's big news. But the bigger news coming out of it was after The Oilers eliminated the Stars in the western final. Connor McDavid picked up the Clarence Campbell trophy, which a lot of times when they win the conference teams will not touch that trophy because the thinking is you only touch the trophy that you want, which is a Stanley Cup. What do you guys think about the superstition?

[Matt]

I think that's stupid. I mean, I hate when they do things like this. Like, only celebrate like, life is short. We're all gonna die. Joni Ernst said that yesterday. So because we're all gonna die, we might as well enjoy the moments while we're alive. So, like, let Connor McDavid and everyone take it, just take an hour, celebrate it, and then move on. I have no problem with him touching the cup. I think this is a silly controversy.

[Myron]

I think usually I probably think it's silly, but I also think some sports are really superstitious. I think baseball is like that. Hockey is definitely like that. So I think hockey because it's. But like, because that's a sport where superstition is like a real thing. I get why it's such a big deal. So I respect that.

[Matt]

So I think it's silly. First of all, I'm not only not superstitious, I'm not even stitchious. And I think that it is silly. But for people to not. To not enjoy their moments in life. Life is a fire.

[Myron]

You don't believe in anything that you can't explain, though. You don't believe in magic. You don't believe in anything that's not.

[Matt]

Like, no, here's what I believe in. We're only on this earth so long. Take the moments to find joy in your day to day life. And if Connor McDavid wants to touch the Bob Jones trophy, whatever the. They have so many trophies in the NHL, then let him touch the trophy.

[Myron]

Is it the Bob Jones trophy?

[Matt]

That would be a weird name. It's a Jerry Falwell trophy. What's next?

[Unknown]

All right, so this tweet was going around Twitter this week, and the question is, is it the Carolina Panthers year? So hang with me here. I know it's a weird question because they're not very good, but in 2002 and 2003, Ohio State won the national championship. The Panthers and the Jaguars opened the season against each other, and JLO filed for divorce. That was Chris Judd. And the Panthers went to the Super bowl in 2014 and 15, Ohio State won the national championship. The Panthers and Jaguars opened the season against each other. JLO filed for divorce against Mark Anthony this time. And the Panthers made it to the super bowl. So now 24, 25. Ohio State won the national championship. The Panthers and Jaguars open season and JLo found for divorce this time, Ben Affleck.

[Matt]

So this is stupid for the same reason. The last thing was stupid, which is that I'm not superstitious. But here's my big takeaway from that stat. I appreciate people in statistics departments. They are hard working people. ESPN is full of them. Whoever took the time to find this needs to be allowed one week vacation. Because the fact that anyone made this connection, who in the world made the connection between JLo, the opening game of the regular season and Ohio State? Myron, that person needs to find a hobby or take a week vacation because they are too into the numbers or.

[Myron]

Maybe they're just into fun. You should try it sometime. You know, to me, I don't mind it. I mean, I don't think Carolina, it's their year. But I will stand up for JLo. I think she's catching way too much heat for the string of divorces. Her and Ben Stiller. It's a two way street. You can't just put it all on her.

[Matt]

Ben Affleck.

[Myron]

Ben Affleck.

[Unknown]

Ben Stiller sitting in the courtside.

[Matt]

Yeah, Ben Stiller.

[Myron]

Ben Affleck. I didn't mean to start a new rumor. J. Lo's not with Ben Stiller, but her and Ben Affleck not working out. They tried it. Sometimes you try to rekindle the flame and it doesn't work out. It's okay.

[Matt]

Again, I just want to say, as the resident Panthers fan, don't take away my hope. If this is what gives me hope for the season.

[Unknown]

I'm going to enjoy it.

[Matt]

We're going to the Super Bowl. I put my 50 cents on it on ESPN. Bet I can win $22.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Let's go.

[Myron]

Sorry to Ben Stiller, by the way. I didn't mean to.

[Matt]

All right, what's next?

[Unknown]

You can have hope. It's stupid. All right. NCAA president Charlie Baker says March Madness expansion can come as early as 2026. Quote, that would be the goal to try and do this for next year. We've been talking about 72 and 76. What do you think about that?

[Matt]

I mean, I don't love it, but at the same time, like, I don't think it's. It's going to ruin the sport if there's four more teams in. I don't know, we don't need it. But we really don't need a lot of the things we have. We don't need nerd gummy clusters and they're awesome. So maybe adding it to 72 would be like nerd gummy clusters and you would find out that it's the best candy in the world. So I'm going to hold out hope that it's, it's going to happen. So there's no reason to rant about it. As long as they don't get up to where it's like 96 and it stays at the 72. 76. I'm okay with it, Myron, but no, we don't need it for sure.

[Myron]

I'm disappointed. No, I think people like us need to rant against this because I do think it's a bad idea. We just had one of the best NCAA tournaments we've ever seen with 68 teams. My fear is, Matt, is you and I both know they're not stopping at 72 or 76. We're on our way to 96. It's going to happen. And that's the problem for me.

[Matt]

96 is will be a step back for the sport. So I. So that'll happen. If you promised me, if you got, if you put it in like blood oath we're not gonna go to 96, then I'm fine with it. But if this is like you said, Myron, the inevitable step to 96, then I would be against it. But you know, we'll see. I guess we'll find out when we find out.

[Myron]

Yeah, it's gonna be a problem. I don't like that.

[Matt]

Well, thank you for. I'm sorry you don't like it. And look for my man. The idea though of 72 is that on the Tuesday and Wednesday before the first round you get all day of games instead of just a night of games. And I don't think that's the worst thing in the world. If that were happened, we're going to go back to the NBA. Oklahoma City and Indianapolis. The mid level city but high level players final. That's next on Matt Myron, Matt and Myron the podcast. Hey there travelers. Kaley Cuoco here. Sorry to interrupt your music great artist BT Dubs, but wouldn't you rather be there to hear it live? With Priceline, you can get out of your dreams and into your dream concert. They've got millions of travel deals to get you to that point. Festival gig, rave, sound bath or sonic experience you've been dreaming of. Download the Priceline app today and you can save up to 60% off hotels and up to 50% off flights. So don't just dream about that trip.

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[Matt]

Sunday morning. Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. David Dennis Jr. And Scape writer ESPN NBA analyst is on. David, before I get to a basketball question, we have some breaking news. R Truth has been released from the wwe. I know you're a wrestling fan, David. Does it make you sad that R Truth is no longer going to be the truth in the squared circle?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I. I gotta. I gotta dig into this. This feels like it, you know, with wrestling, you never know what's real or fake. This may be a work. I find it hard to believe this dude would get released. He just had was on Saturday, may have been one of the highest rated episodes of the show that they've had in. In the years. It's a. Yeah, that's hard to. It's hard to imagine they wouldn't give him the proper farewell of some sort of retirement. I mean, he's been wrestling forever. That's a shocker.

[Matt]

Maybe that was his farewell. Maybe that was his farewell. Like he goes out on his back like, you know, that's the way they do it in the. They gave him one cena match to finish. Could that be it?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I mean, I guess. But you let the guy retire, you don't release him. That's strange. That's a real strange thing. Justice for our truth.

[Matt]

Our truth. We'd love to have you in OVW whenever you would like to do a comeback match, we'd be welcome to have you. David, let me ask you. Myron and I had this argument a little bit on the pre show. We'll probably do it again a little bit later. Do you consider this season, the Knicks season, like success, failure? Somewhere in between?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I mean, I think it's somewhere in between. I mean, I think if you look at the beginning of the season, especially as the season was progressing, right. And you say the Knicks, when the playoffs started, you say the Knicks made it past Cleveland and Boston, Right. They outlast them in the East. I would say that it was a modern miracle for them to have done that, especially the way they performed against those two. So you. In a vacuum. Yes. Absolutely. That is a win. But when you get past them and then you look at the opportunity to get to the Finals, to maybe even win the Finals, I mean, I wouldn't. I would not bet against them against okc, but I didn't bet against them against. I wouldn't have bet on them against Boston. And you go against a Pacers team that is a beatable team, right, and you lay an egg, like you do in game one, and you blow your chance again to the Finals, and that feels like, in a small sample size, a failure in this conference final. So it's got to be somewhere in the mix. Getting. Getting to the conference finals is a win, and then blowing it like they did feels like a failure. So we're going to split the difference and call it somewhere in the middle.

[Myron]

David, how quickly, if you're the Knicks, are you calling the Milwaukee Bucks and trying to create a deal for Giannis with Karl Anthony Towns as the centerpiece of that trade package?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I mean, you can. You can call them all you want. I don't think Milwaukee's answering that call. I don't think that there's any value in a Carl Anthony Towns, a player that's inferior to Giannis, and that doesn't really help you with your rebuild. I'm not sure what kind of picks or anything you're getting in there. That's not going to do much for me if I'm Milwaukee. Now, the person that I would perk my. My, my ears up to if they call is if the Knicks say, hey, we're going to send you Jalen Brunson for. For Giannis. Now, I don't think the Knicks will do that because of the loyalty and all that stuff, but you got to think if he was. That loyalty wasn't there and he didn't have the. His dad wasn't there and all that stuff. You wouldn't think that another franchise would say, hey, Giannis is better than. Than Jalen Brunson. Let's go ahead and make that move. I think he would, but I.

[Myron]

Would you do that if you're the Knicks? Would you do that if you were the Knicks? You give up Brunson?

[David Dennis Jr.]

In a heartbeat. And a heartbeat. In an absolute heartbeat. I would, I would. I would definitely prefer Giannis over Jalen Brunson, but there's so much more that goes into this on the emotional side that will prevent them from doing that. The dude's dad is on the coaching staff. The guy, you know, his God basically signed him, like, that's those and He's a hero in New York.

[Dan Pavanot Meyer]

Right.

[David Dennis Jr.]

So there are so many reasons that this won't happen. But if I were just coming in without any of those ties, I would be like, Giannis, can we. Can you come over here for Brunson?

[Matt]

All right. I got to take up for my guy Carl for a second because, you know, I. I've known Carl since he was a junior in high school when he started, when it became clear he was going to come to Kentucky. And I went up and saw him play a number of times in New York, Loved him when he was here in Lexington, maybe on the best UK team of all time. I feel like Carl's been perpetually disrespected in his career. And, you know, everybody always focuses up, David, on what Carl isn't. And I know there's a lot that's frustrating about him sometimes, and he's gone viral this year, a lot. And I actually think it's endeared him to a lot of people. But I. Carl Towns is, however you want to put it, a top 20 player in the NBA at one point, has been all NBA. Why do we focus on Carl's deficiencies more than the fact that he's one of the three or four best big man shooting outside shooters ever, and that when he decides to go downhill, he can be awesome and, oh, yeah, he was the second or first, depending on how you look at it, but probably second best player on the first Knicks team to go to the conference finals in 25 years. Why do people always want to get rid of Carl?

[David Dennis Jr.]

Well, I think. I think with the Knicks, it's not necessarily getting rid of Karl Anthony Towns because he's not good enough or because he's a bad player. I think that people are floating that around because him and Brunson together create an issue is that you have two bad defenders, two minus defenders in your starting lineup and your closing lineup. I think that's what the issue is, because when Brunson was out and Carl Anthony Towns was on defense, the Knicks were fine. And, you know, because they have guys who can make up for Brunson on that defensive end. I think it's just the problem is putting them together is where that creates an issue. Now, Carl Anthony Towns, overall, as somebody who's been disrespected, I mean, Carl Anthony Towns is an up and down roller coaster of a player. One day he's, you know, a game five where he's, you know, hounding everybody, coming off screens, getting rebounds, attacking the paint. Then you have games where like last night, where for some reason he doesn't know how to move forward when a screen is set on him and he just backs up till he's under the basket. And Tyrese Halliburn has free reign to shoot any floater that he wants for a whole quarter. So, I mean, this is, this is a Carl Anthony Towns ride. He is an infuriating great player. So some nights you're going to love him, some nights are going to hate him. And I think to your point, that's what endears them to New York. Like, like they, like a dude they can cuss out and then who can come back and then. And steal their hearts again. I think that's part of what, what makes Knicks fans who they are and makes players who they are. I don't think he's actually going anywhere, but I think there's a, there is a pretty fair analysis of where he is in the league.

[Matt]

Okay, but, but, but I don't. Maybe it is fair where he is. If you're objective and you say, okay, he's this, but he is. I mean, again, I'll go through his career. Number one player coming out of high school, 38 and one in college, number one NBA draft pick, you know, is on a, on a Wolves team that goes to the conference finals, then comes to the Knicks and they go to the conference finals. And, and, and they beat a Celtics team that most people thought could win the title. I just, I feel like he deserves to. I mean, you said Jalen Brunson's terrible on defense, but people don't focus on that as much as they do with Carl. Why? It's just almost feel like Carl's like an easy target. And I think it annoys me for some reason.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Well, as. Not for some reason. I know why as a guy, this is your alma mater.

[Matt]

But he's also a reason that certain a part of it. But I also will say, I think in a, in an NBA where a lot of the dudes are very similar, he is a unique, thoughtful, interesting guy. And I think because that makes him different, it also makes him easy to pick on.

[David Dennis Jr.]

I mean, I think there's some of that too, but I think that people are endeared to his overall story. I mean, what, what came out of what he overcame.

[Matt]

Yeah.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Over in Covid with his family and all that stuff. And you know, he gets the. What Kareem Abdul Jabbar award. I think it is for, for all of his work. I think he's a well respected person for what he does and I think the. The memes and all that stuff are kind of in good faith and all that stuff. But I think that on the court, the thing is, you just get. You'll get a Carl Anthony Towns who have a second round against Jokic last year and a first round against Durant, which people don't talk about enough, where he is defending those guys and he's, you know, pushing them to go bare, and he's having the series of his life. And then he follows that up with a Dallas Maverick series where he doesn't. Does not show up. And you have a game like it's game to game against the Pacers. You had a game five Karl Anthony Towns versus Game four, Karl Anthony Towns. You had a game three Carl Anthony Towns that saved their season and a Game 6, Carlton Towns that looked like a totally different person. He is. He invites that by being so inconsistent with what he does overall. Yes. One of the top 20 players in the league. Any team would want him. I don't think anybody's saying he's not good enough to be on our team, but I just think that, you know, the criticism is relatively valid. And to the Jalen Brunson thing, I mean, a few days ago, people were asking if the Knicks were better with Jalen Brunson on the bench because their defense played better. I mean, he gets his fair share of criticism, too.

[Myron]

Yeah. I'll take a different angle on this. You know, one of the things that I've looked at, David, is the era of the giant guards. I mean, Tyrese Halliburton, sga, Anthony Edwards, and then you got undersized. Jalen Brunson, unless your name is Steph Curry or you have Steph Curry, can you win a championship with a small guard as your lead guy in this NBA?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I mean, traditionally, the answer is no. And I mean, with Steph, I mean, he has two things going for him. One is universally, like, uniquely the best shooter we've ever seen. And he's taller than Jalen Brunson. He's a big dude compared to Jalen Brunson. He's six' three. And so what we've seen in the league is having a smaller guy like Brunson who teams can attack on offense, who can teams attack defensively, who teams can wear down, who, you know, teams can bully in the playoffs. That traditionally does not win you championships. Now, Jalen Brunson makes up for that, obviously, with his scoring and his clutch performances. But what we saw in this series is there was questions about his sustainability on the Defensive end and who. And if they looked better with somebody like Landry Shammit playing defense over him, that's something that you have to consider. But I think if I'm the Knicks, what we've seen from him is a guy that if we build enough around him offensively, defensively, build enough in the clutch, then we can figure out a way to win with this guy as our centerpiece. You got to believe that if you're, if you're the Knicks, they just need a little bit better offense and some, some depth and some people around him.

[Matt]

Yeah, I, it's weird. We all do this, but If Andrew Neesmith misses 13 in Game 1, the Knicks may be in the finals. So I, it's, it's, it's, it's amazing how one or two plays can change the whole narrative on something.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Are you, I mean, and I think the. Yeah, I'm with you. The Knicks. Look, if the Knicks game one is the series right there. I mean if the Knicks win game one, I think we're going seven and it is a toss up from there. Once you lose game one and the way that they lost it, it is almost impossible to recover from that. We've seen that in the league and that was, that was a series. I mean, they outplayed the Pacers for two of the three games before game six. And this series was in their hands and they just let it slip in game one.

[Matt]

Yeah, we'll do 30 seconds here to get you out. Are you excited about the Thunder Pacer series? Like for real? I mean, I know basketball heads can say it'll be fun, but like for real, are you excited? The Thunder are going to win in like five, aren't they?

[David Dennis Jr.]

Yeah, Thunder going to win in four or five. I think each individual game is going to be, going to be pretty great. We saw this last year with the Pacers, they were overmatched against the Celtics and those games of four games they played were great games and I think that's what we'll get. We'll get some fast paced games, we'll get some great defense on both sides. I think these are going to be really good games between both of these teams, even though I think the series is going to be short.

[Matt]

David Dennis Jr. Great stuff. He sometimes fills in on this show and I always love it.

[Myron]

He's on TV too. He's a TV star.

[Matt]

He does great work on TV star, like. But I'm trying to act like his, the, the biggest thing he does is this show. Myron. Even though you know clearly by far wide margin in the process.

[Myron]

You got a lot of people.

[Matt]

Also ESPN NBA analyst David, thank you very much.

[David Dennis Jr.]

All right, thanks.

[Matt]

A lot more on the series to come and the Knicks and Myron's probably going to tell us about Cisco again. That's next here on Sunday morning.

[Myron]

Next Sunday on ESPN Radio.

[Matt]

Matt and.

[Myron]

Myron be live at CMA fest in Nashville.

[Matt]

Are you getting excited about it?

[Myron]

Yeah, it'll be different, you know. It all starts Sunday morning at 10 Eastern on ESPN radio and on the ESPN.

[Matt]

It's a huge thing. This is Nashville at its best.

[Myron]

Matt and Myon, the podcast.

[Matt]

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[Matt]

This music. You know. You know there's a woman running the producing today with this music today. What is this like, what is this.

[Myron]

Like one of those shows?

[Matt]

It is. It is High School Musical. It is the Wildcats. Oh, because we're doing the guess the Wildcat. See, look at me.

[Myron]

Okay, you know what?

[Matt]

By the way, that wasn't a negative. Like, like female music picks are probably more I would like more than I would like Zaz. There's layers. I'd rather have that than like constant pit bull. So yes, I'm. I'm okay with it.

[Unknown]

What?

[Matt]

I mean.

[Myron]

What do you have against Pitbull?

[Matt]

I can't stand Pitbull. Do like I can't. I can't do that. It's. It's just too much. So I think I'd prefer this if we're going between the two choices. Yeah, I mean this is all like who wants to listen to this?

[Myron]

Everybody. I mean Pat Pitbull is a giant Miami.

[Matt]

Besides the scenery, Miami is not a thing I need in my life. Are you a Miami guy?

[Myron]

Love Miami. Love the food, music, people out on.

[Matt]

The clubs at South Beach. I can't see that.

[Myron]

Tell you something. In a former life, I was definitely out and about, man. More than I am now. But not the food. The Cuban food, the weather.

[Matt]

I do like Cuban food. Yeah, no, I'm sure there's a great. I know, but it's a lot of crypto, like sweaty jail in their hair, Dudes like. You could tune into baseball action tonight.

[Myron]

As the Dodgers hosting crushing major cities across the country.

[Matt]

That's what this, this show is me just telling you everywhere. I don't like coverage. Sunday night baseball begins at 6 Eastern on ESPN radio and the ESPN app. That was a great moment when the Dodgers beat the Yankees Friday night. Shohei hit that home run. That was very cool, wasn't it?

[Myron]

Yeah, go. Why don't you go up to New York? New York next in la.

[Matt]

I love New York. Don't get me. Listen, New York's my favorite city in the world. So, I mean, New York is great. I'm just saying Miami's like just, you know, New York with a lot of cologne and hair gel. All right, so one of the things that we. One of the things we've been doing on the show this summer is there are so many famous people. Unlike Oklahoma, where we talked earlier, we couldn't think of a lot of famous people. Kentucky, we've had. We have so many former Kentucky Wildcats that have gone on to do things. So we play Guess that Wildcat and we bring on. And we've Talked to Jamal McGlore. He was great from the Raptors. We had Travis Ford, who was here as well. So we're going to have another one today. Myron, they don't tell me who this is, so I have no idea. The last two times, Myron, I've gotten it in two guesses. We will see if I may have better clues. It is. It is. Guess that Wildcat.

[Unknown]

All right, so I think you got them in two guesses because we gave you date like years. So we're going to. We're going to maybe. Maybe stay away from the years at first here.

[Myron]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

So I'll just give you some vague, more vague clues. Okay. I still think I'm going to get it probably. So this player was a consensus. Consensus first team all American.

[Matt]

Well, first of all, when it comes to a lot of players, first team, All Americans, to be honest with you, it's actually not that many that were consensus first team. So I can Tell you consensus first team All Americans at Kentucky. I'm going to go through the last few. Oscar Sheepway, Willie, Collie Stein, John Wall, and Jamal Mashburn. I think those are the only four in the modern era that were consensus All American.

[Myron]

The Marcus Cousins and. I don't think Cousins and Wall were AP first team All Americans that year. They were.

[Matt]

Are we saying. Are you saying consensus All Americans are consensus first team. All Americans.

[Unknown]

First team.

[Matt]

First team. I don't know if DeMarcus was consistent. Yeah, that's true.

[Myron]

Yeah, that's true.

[Matt]

May have been. I love. But I don't know if he was consensus. So I think we're talking Wall, Willie, Oscar and Anthony Davis and Mashburn. So I think now we're down to one of five, I think. All right, who's. What's the next one?

[Unknown]

All right. He also won SEC Player of the Year.

[Matt]

All did. I feel like. I don't think Willie did.

[Myron]

No.

[Matt]

I think this is either going to be Jamal Mashburn, John Wall, Anthony Davis, or Oscar She Way. I think we're down to four. All right, what's next?

[Unknown]

He was national Freshman of the Year. The US BWA National.

[Matt]

So I think that has to be John Wall. It's got to be John Wall. I don't think you're going to be able to get Davis while he's still in the NBA.

[Myron]

Freshman of the Year, John Wall.

[Matt]

I'm thinking it's got to be John Wall. So what. Am I correct?

[Myron]

You are correct.

[Matt]

All right, there we go. John Wall. We're gonna do the John Wall. Is that at 12:30? Is that right?

[Unknown]

Yep, that'll be at 12:30.

[Matt]

I love this. Because here's the thing, Myron. We had Jamal McGlore, one of my favorite, if not my favorite player of all time. John Wall basically made my career. I mean, he essentially made my career what his year was. The year that my career sort of exploded. John Wall, to me, would you say he's one of the coolest, along with, like, Zion, one of the coolest college basketball players of the last 20 years?

[Myron]

Yeah. I mean, I think he set the tone for the one and done era, honestly. Like, you know, he comes along just as social media. Like Twitter wasn't that big yet, but he went viral, you know, and I think he really. He's on the Mount Rushmore of one and dones, I think, in college basketball for sure would.

[Matt]

I mean, he was a cultural phenomenon. Let's also talk about this NBA, you know, his entrance on game one of the of his NBA career where they go six, four from Kentucky, John Wall. And he does the Dougie. That's still a me. Like that's still a viral sensation on TikTok today. People use that entrance today on their TikToks.

[Myron]

Well, and there was, I mean that was like a huge recruiting thing, right? Because I mean he's a Carolina kid who everyone assumes is going to North Carolina. Then Kentucky and Cal come in. Starting off the Cal era with John Wall. I mean, that, that, it doesn't get much better than that, man.

[Matt]

Do you, you know, he, he had a really great start to his NBA career. Then he had an injury and it kind of plagued him towards the end. Let's say he stays 100% healthy. What do you think John Wall's NBA career ends up as?

[Myron]

Really, really good player. You know what I mean? And I think still, and I say this now, I feel like I say this all the time. If you tell me who are the fastest human beings I've ever seen with a basketball. The three fastest. Derrick Rose is. Is on that list. John Wall is at the top of that list for me. Like, I don't know that I've ever.

[Matt]

Seen the fastest dude basketball I've ever.

[Myron]

Seen with the basketball.

[Matt]

I don't know who's faster. Can you think of anybody? Westbrook is Westbrook's good. Peak Westbrook.

[Myron]

Yeah, Westbrook, Derrick Rose and John Wall. That's the list to me.

[Matt]

That's a good one. I'll tell you. I'll tell you another one in it. Peak. De' Aaron Fox with the basketball too. Yeah.

[Myron]

North south, dear.

[Matt]

And was up there when he, when you, when he got down court. Those are, those are some. Those are some really fast ones. We will deal with that more on the NBA Finals. John Wall at 12:30. It's Matt Myron. Hey, it's a resident super bowl champ, Chris Candy coming up Monday. From the NBA to the NHL and everything in between between. I'll react to it all in my upon further review at 7aM Eastern. It's unsportsmanlike weekday mornings at 6 right here on ESPN radio, ESPN2 and ESPNU.

[Myron]

Matt and Myron, the podcast.