Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron

Episode: Hour 3 – “Appropriate Criticism…”
Date: February 22, 2026
Hosts: Myron Medcalf (ESPN Radio), David Dennis Jr. (in for Matt Jones)
Special Guests: Shaquille O’Neal, Emily Kaplan

Overview of Episode Theme

This episode centers around major current events in the sports world, focusing particularly on the United States’ historic gold medal win in Olympic men’s hockey (their first in 46 years), debates on appropriate criticism in the NBA (spotlight on Karl-Anthony Towns), and emerging narratives from basketball’s college and NBA draft prospects. The hosts examine expectations for athletes, generational viewpoints on “greatness,” and the significance of recent sports achievements, tying in stories with humor and personality.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Humorous Opening: Where’s Matt Jones?

• Matt Jones’ absence is attributed, tongue-in-cheek, to “taking the day off for Black History Month.”
  • David Dennis Jr.: “He’s taking the day off for Black History Month.” (00:43)
  • Myron Medcalf quips about working instead of celebrating.

2. Myron’s Blizzard Travel Troubles

• Myron details his struggle to interpret flight delays via the Delta app as a snowstorm approaches.
• David Dennis Jr. suggests stocking up on food, socks, and cozying up if stranded, playfully referencing Popeyes and Motown playlists.
  • Myron: “I realized, David, I don’t know how to read the Delta app.” (01:01)
  • David Dennis Jr.: “Get a good old, you know, a family-sized bucket [of chicken] and just enjoy that for two days.” (02:52)
• Sets a relatable, humorous tone.

3. NBA Focus: Appropriateness of Criticism for Karl-Anthony Towns

Shaquille O’Neal’s “OG” Perspective (04:58)

• Shaq: Candidly confronts Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT) post-game about needing to be dominant:

  “At the beginning of the game, I said you were playing soft… you have to be dominant. You responded very, very well. Being from Jersey, good ain’t good enough, for sure.” (04:58)

Panel Reaction & Generational Disconnect

• Myron: Frames this as a classic “OG versus young guy” moment, noting that expectations for KAT may be unrealistic.
  • “People want him to be Jokic, prime Embiid, Giannis. I’ve never seen him as that… he is what he is.” (07:55-08:21)
• David Dennis Jr.: Critiques not only KAT’s inconsistent aggressiveness but how social perception (“soft” due to voice or mannerisms) unfairly colors the conversation.
  • “Some of the criticism… comes from this corner of social media about his mannerism, voice and things like that… that he’s some sort of soft dude because of that… it’s really an unfair way to talk about him.” (08:59)
  • Notes KAT’s value as a “number two option” on a title contender.

Key Insight

• The difference in expectations for “stars” vs. “great complementary players” and how social narratives sometimes bleed into basketball discourse.

4. Historic US Gold Medal in Olympic Hockey

(Segment with Emily Kaplan, ESPN Hockey Reporter – Begins 12:01)

Atmosphere and Significance

• Emily Kaplan: Describes “a really nervy game” and the electric US/Canada rivalry crowd atmosphere.
  • “It was a really intense crowd, very energetic… both were loud, dueling chants… the best players in the world just miss opportunities…” (12:42)
  • “For it to be Jack [Hughes], for it to end like that, it was huge… they had to back it up. And honestly, for a lot of that game, they weren’t…” (13:00)

Sidney Crosby’s Hypothetical Impact (13:53)

• Kaplan: Dismisses the idea that Canada would have won if Crosby played, citing the immense talent of Canada’s active roster.
  • “It’s not like you don’t have Sidney Crosby and you don’t have talent. That is a supremely talented team. I think they had every opportunity to win that game and just couldn’t find a way to do it.”

Emotional Tribute: Johnny Gaudreau’s Jersey (14:30)

• Touching moment as the US team honors late player Johnny Gaudreau and family on the ice after the win.
  • “The way that they’ve incorporated and included the Goudreau family, I think speaks to the identity of this team… it was just a really beautiful tribute…” (14:37)

Conor Hellebuyck’s Heroics (15:33)

• Kaplan: “41 of 42 shots stopped… this is now his legacy… he completely changed the narrative around him.”
  • [Jake Sanderson said:] “That was hands down the best goalie performance I’ve ever seen.” (15:45)

State of International Hockey (16:50)

• Kaplan: This is not a “changing of the guard” but part of a new fierce rivalry; hockey’s global competitiveness is growing.
  • “But United States, for the next four years, they can claim that they’re the top dogs…” (16:50)

5. Pop Culture Angle: “Miracle on Ice 2”

• Hosts discuss whether this win will be known as the second “Miracle on Ice” for a new generation.
  • David Dennis Jr.: “I think miracle, we may have to leave out ‘miracle’, but this was still a monumental thing…” (19:29)
  • Hockey’s current “mainstream moment” is likened to the Gretzky era, underscoring a cultural resurgence.

6. College Basketball & NBA Prospects: Who’s #1?

(Segment begins 25:52)

Debating Top Picks

• David Dennis Jr.: Leans toward AJ D’Bonta as a top NBA prospect for his “NBA-level bag,” scoring versatility, and athletic upside.
  • Compares Cameron Boozer to Tyler Hansbrough—great in college, questions about NBA ceiling.
• Myron: Asserts Darren Peterson as potentially “the best offensive player at this level since Kevin Durant.” (28:00)
• On Boozer:
  • “I think Boozer will play for 15 years at a very high level… all these weaknesses, they haven’t stopped him from being this dominant force…” (29:03)
  • Posits that if Boozer were European, perceptions might be different due to his “Jokic-like” style—exceptionally skilled, though not above the rim.

Draft Wisdom

• Myron: Cautions NBA teams about “overthinking” prospects, recalling how Steph Curry was undervalued for Johnny Flynn.
  • “I do think NBA teams sometimes overthink this. And I wonder if that’s going to happen with Cam Boozer.” (33:57)

Organizational Fit

• Both hosts agree Boozer’s NBA impact will hinge on fit—he’s not a franchise savior, but a high-level “playmaker who’s always in the right spots.”
  • “If you are a team that has nobody, that is devoid of anything… you want to build around him… you’re barking up the wrong tree. But if he’s in the right organization, he can really contribute to that team and mean something for 10 years…” (33:57)

7. Golden US Hockey Team’s Celebrations & Logistics

(Segment begins 38:38)

• David Dennis Jr.: Announces Team USA is rerouting their return flight to Miami instead of New York due to the blizzard.
  • “They have to go to Miami, they have to go party tonight in Miami.” (39:25)
• The hosts joke about the dangers of Olympians partying in Miami with their gold medals.

8. Take Your Pick: Rapid-Fire Predictions

(Segment begins 41:33)

• James Steele joins to run through “Take Your Pick,” a betting/forecasting round on sports matchups:
  • Games picked: Cavaliers vs. Thunder, Nuggets vs. Warriors, Celtics vs. Lakers, 76ers vs. Timberwolves, and PGA Genesis Invitational.
  • Notable banter:
    • David Dennis Jr.: Jokes about golfer Jacob Bridgman having “the most golf name ever” (46:02).
• Locks of the hosts: Both lean Cavs and Nuggets; split on Celtics/Lakers; Myron picks Timberwolves, David thinks Sixers cover the spread.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Shaquille O’Neal to Karl-Anthony Towns (04:58):

“At the beginning of the game, I said you were playing soft… you have to be dominant. You responded very, very well. Being from Jersey, good ain’t good enough, for sure.”

David Dennis Jr. on KAT criticism (08:59):

“Some of the criticism… comes from this corner of social media about his mannerism, voice and things like that… that he’s some sort of soft dude because of that… it’s really an unfair way to talk about him.”

Emily Kaplan on Team USA’s Win (12:42):

“It was a really intense crowd, very energetic… both were loud, dueling chants… the best players in the world just miss opportunities…”

Emily Kaplan on Gaudreau Tribute (14:37):

“…the way that they’ve incorporated and included the Goudreau family, I think speaks to the identity of this team… a really beautiful tribute…”

Myron Medcalf on Boozer (29:03):

“I think Boozer will play for 15 years at a very high level… all of the things that he’s supposed to be struggling at… haven’t stopped him from being this dominant force.”

On Team USA detour to Miami (39:20):

“They have to go to Miami. They have to go party tonight in Miami.” – David Dennis Jr.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Blizzard Travel/Banter: 01:00–03:45
• Shaq & Karl-Anthony Towns Debate: 04:58–10:17
• Emily Kaplan Joins — Olympic Hockey Reaction: 12:01–17:47
  • Tributes, rivalry, and legacy moments
• “Miracle on Ice 2” / Hockey’s Mainstream Moment: 18:28–20:56
• NBA Draft Discussion (Boozer, Peterson, etc.): 25:52–35:46
• Team USA reroutes flight / medal safety jokes: 38:38–41:33
• Take Your Pick (Sports Predictions): 41:33–46:36

Episode Mood & Style

• Reflective, often lighthearted, with a focus on relatable human stories behind sporting achievements.
• Blends deep sports analysis, generational perspective, and playful humor.
• Preserves the conversational, sometimes bantering flow of the hosts.

Bottom Line

This episode highlighted how expectations, legacy, and perception shape both athlete narratives and fan engagement. It celebrated a new “golden moment” for US hockey, questioned what we want from NBA and college basketball stars, and reminded listeners to enjoy both the seriousness and the absurdity of the sports world.

For Those Who Missed It:
Tune in for fresh insight on athlete criticism (KAT vs. Shaq), revel in a vibrant reliving of US Olympic hockey glory, and enjoy the hosts’ chemistry as they tackle draft prospects, generational rivalries, and a classic “what-could-go-wrong?” sports travel saga.