Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron – Episode: Hour 3: Opting In Release Date: June 29, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones & David Dennis Jr. (Filling in for Myron Medcalf)

I. Introduction

In this episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," hosts Matt Jones and guest co-host David Dennis Jr. delve into pressing topics within the sports world. As Myron Medcalf is absent, David seamlessly steps in to guide listeners through a dynamic discussion encompassing new show launches, significant NBA developments, NCAA tournament insights, and more.

II. New ESPN+ Show: The Vibe Check

[00:31 - 02:18]

Matt and David kick off the conversation by introducing ESPN’s latest venture, "The Vibe Check." This female-led sports studio show premieres the day after the podcast recording and promises engaging panel discussions akin to those seen in the tournament broadcasts featuring personalities like Elle Duncan, Andrea Carter, Monica Nut, and Hannah Storm.

• Matt Jones: "If you've watched the tournament over the years, you've seen Elle Duncan, Andrea Carter, Monica Nut, Hannah Storm...now you'll get to see it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5 Eastern on ESPN Plus."

David Dennis Jr. expresses enthusiasm for the show, highlighting the expertise and chemistry of the panelists.

• David Dennis Jr.: "It's going to be a great show. I saw Elle when I was in Bristol...they're pumped about it. The Big Three...they were doing great panel stuff."

The hosts anticipate that "The Vibe Check" will add a valuable perspective to ESPN’s programming, especially with the fresh female-led dynamic.

III. Investigations into Malik Beasley and Gambling in the NBA

[02:18 - 05:20]

A significant portion of the episode addresses Malik Beasley, a Detroit Pistons guard, who is under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney's office for alleged gambling related to NBA games and prop bets.

• Matt Jones: "The U.S. district Attorney's office investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley on allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets."

Beasley, currently a free agent, was on track to sign a three-year, $42 million deal, which is now uncertain due to the investigation. His attorney, Steve Haney, emphasizes that an investigation is not a charge and reiterates Beasley’s presumption of innocence.

• Steve Haney (Attorney): "An investigation is not a charge. Malik is afforded the same right of the presumption of innocence as anyone else under the Constitution."

David Dennis Jr. shares concerns about the broader implications of such investigations on the NBA, especially when key players like Beasley are involved.

• David Dennis Jr.: "This is a guy who was looking at a big deal...we’ve now seen multiple players that this has been an issue. Unfortunately."

The discussion highlights the potential for increased scrutiny on NBA players regarding gambling and the integrity of the sport.

IV. LeBron James Opts In and Lakers' Future

[05:20 - 09:19]

The conversation shifts to LeBron James exercising his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that brings mixed reactions.

• Matt Jones: "LeBron opted in to his $52.6 million player option. According to Rich Paul, he says the Lakers are building for the future...but I value a realistic chance of winning it all."

Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, voices LeBron’s dual focus on both immediate championship contention and long-term franchise building.

David probes the implications of LeBron's statement:

• David Dennis Jr.: "I don't need it. 52.6, who cares? But he took it. Is that like a signal of, you better go get me somebody so we can win this year?"

Matt Jones and David Dennis Jr. debate whether the Lakers' commitment to the future is compatible with LeBron's desire to compete for championships now. They also touch upon Rich Paul's influential role in shaping modern NBA narratives and player movements.

V. Selfies, Angles, and Personal Topics

[09:00 - 12:03]

In a lighter segment, the hosts discuss the impact of camera angles and selfies on personal appearance, drawing parallels to how athletes manage their public images.

• David Dennis Jr.: "Zion is the perfect example of how the eye can see things very different ways, depending on how you put it out there."

They humorously explore the idea of awards for off-season social media posts, reflecting on the absurdity of certain viral trends.

• David Dennis Jr.: "I want an off-season award called the Ben Simmons LA Fitness Instagram Reel MVP Award for the best player who posts themselves shooting jumpers in August."

This segment showcases the hosts' camaraderie and ability to blend personal anecdotes with broader cultural observations.

VI. March Madness and NCAA Tournament Expansion

[16:18 - 21:11]

The hosts delve into March Madness and the ongoing discussions about expanding the NCAA tournament from 68 to potentially 72 or 76 teams.

• David Dennis Jr.: "Sources have told ESPN that while they still haven't made a decision yet, we might get a decision this week on whether or not the NCAA tournament will expand."

Matt shares his balanced perspective, acknowledging that an expansion might not significantly alter the viewing experience but prefers maintaining the current format.

• Matt Jones: "I kind of think it would be better if they don't expand, but the tournament will still work either way."

David Dennis Jr. concurs, emphasizing that while expansion could affect the balance of upsets and powerhouse teams, the essence of the tournament remains compelling.

• David Dennis Jr.: "I'm with you in the way that it's like it's an indestructible March thing...It still is awesome."

They discuss the importance of maintaining a mix of "Cinderella" teams and established powerhouses to preserve the tournament's excitement and unpredictability.

• Matt Jones: "I think a mix of Cinderellas and powerhouses is the way to go."

The discussion underscores the delicate balance the NCAA must maintain to ensure March Madness remains a thrilling event for fans.

VII. NBA Free Agency and the 'Apron' Concept

[21:11 - 31:39]

A deep dive into NBA free agency introduces the concept of the "apron," which has effectively become a hard salary cap in the league.

• David Dennis Jr.: "The second apron has become a salary cap in the NBA. If you go over it, you get restrictions like you can't trade your first-round draft picks."

The hosts debate the pros and cons of this system. On one hand, it has led to a more competitive league with a spread-out talent pool, as seen with teams like the Thunder and Indiana in the Finals. On the other hand, it has diluted team consistency and made forming dynasties more challenging.

• David Dennis Jr.: "At the beginning of the season...you do not have great teams, you have flawed teams...it's harder for teams to get better."
• Matt Jones: "I think long term it can make it much more interesting in the way the NFL can have conversations about 20 different teams and people be interested."

The conversation highlights how salary cap structures and free agency rules significantly impact team building, rivalries, and the overall competitive landscape of the NBA.

VIII. Underrated NBA Players: Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns

[31:39 - 30:05]

The hosts shine a spotlight on Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns, discussing their inconsistent performances and undervalued contributions to their respective teams.

• David Dennis Jr.: "Julius Randle is a big question mark...He seems like one of the more underrated players in the NBA."
• Matt Jones: "Carl Anthony Towns is just a hilarious dude...he's very memeable."

They explore why these players, despite their talents and pivotal roles in their teams' successes, often receive mixed reviews from fans and analysts.

• David Dennis Jr.: "Why do people have an inclination to downplay them? They're two of the most disrespected players in the NBA."

Matt shares a personal anecdote about meeting Karl-Anthony Towns during his recruitment at Kentucky, highlighting Towns' unique personality and commitment to team camaraderie.

• Matt Jones: "Carl doesn't drink...He wants to be part of the group...That's the Carl Towns experience."

The segment emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing player contributions beyond mere statistics, advocating for a more nuanced appreciation of individual talents.

IX. Sports Picks: Baseball and Soccer Matchups

[37:58 - 44:30]

In the final segment, Matt and David engage in a "Take Your Pick" segment, offering predictions for upcoming baseball and soccer games.

1. Baseball:

   • Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins (Sunday Night Baseball)

     • Matt Jones: "The Tigers are minus 2.70 to win today. I'm gonna take them to win tonight."
     • David Dennis Jr.: Supports the Tigers, praising pitcher Tarik Skubal's performance.

   • Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets

     • David Dennis Jr.: "The Mets have completely collapsed...They’re not going to help with the slump. They've given up nine runs the last couple games."
     • Matt Jones: Agrees, favoring the Pirates.

   • San Diego Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds

     • David Dennis Jr.: Prefers the Reds, citing recent performances and the unpredictability of baseball.

2. Soccer:

   • USA vs. Costa Rica (CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals)
     • Matt Jones: "I'm going to take USA because you know, I'm an American."
     • David Dennis Jr.: Discusses the internal conflicts within the USA Soccer team and anticipates a strong matchup against Mexico.

This segment showcases the hosts' expertise and personal biases, providing listeners with insightful and entertaining sports predictions.

X. Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Matt and David recap key discussions and tease upcoming topics, including further analysis on NBA free agency and the intriguing concept of the "apron." They also mention future episodes where Myron Medcalf will return, ensuring listeners stay tuned for more in-depth sports coverage.

• Matt Jones: "Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast...Tune into baseball action tonight."
• David Dennis Jr.: Encourages listener engagement and previews the next episode's focus on NBA free agency.

The hosts sign off with their signature camaraderie, leaving listeners informed and entertained with a comprehensive overview of current sports narratives.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [00:31] Matt Jones: "If you've watched the tournament over the years, you've seen Elle Duncan, Andrea Carter, Monica Nut, Hannah Storm...now you'll get to see it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5 Eastern on ESPN Plus."

• [02:18] Matt Jones: "The U.S. district Attorney's office investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley on allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets."

• [05:20] David Dennis Jr.: "This is a guy who was looking at a big deal...we’ve now seen multiple players that this has been an issue. Unfortunately."

• [09:12] David Dennis Jr.: "This guy hit the jump shot at the LA Fitness...the two industrial complexes of those in the off season."

• [16:18] David Dennis Jr.: "Whether it's a movie night or just midday, Skinny Pop is a salty snack that keeps on giving."

• [21:11] Matt Jones: "I think long term it can make it much more interesting in the way the NFL can have conversations about 20 different teams and people be interested."

• [31:39] David Dennis Jr.: "Why do people have an inclination to downplay them? They're two of the most disrespected players in the NBA."

• [39:03] Matt Jones: "The movement on his pitches is pretty astounding."

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the "Hour 3: Opting In" episode, providing listeners—both regular and new—with a comprehensive overview of the discussions, insights, and key moments shared by Matt Jones and David Dennis Jr.