Hour 3: Party Animals

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron: Episode "Hour 3: Party Animals" Summary

Released on May 25, 2025, "Hour 3: Party Animals" from ESPN Radio's "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" delves deep into the current landscape of the sports world. Hosts Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf navigate through pivotal NBA series, NFL rumors, an engaging interview with former Kentucky Wildcat and Toronto Raptors ambassador Jamal McGlore, and make predictions across multiple sports disciplines. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their discussions, notable insights, and memorable quotes.

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1. Current Sports Highlights and Player Spotlights

The episode kicks off with Matt Jones highlighting upcoming sports events, notably the Pacers vs. Knicks game three and the Dodgers vs. Mets baseball matchup. A significant focus is placed on the rising star Pete Crow Armstrong (referred to as PCA) of the Chicago Cubs.

Matt Jones [00:35]: "The cub I was trying to talk about a minute ago was not Medicine Crow. His name was Pete Crow Armstrong... I think he's gonna be really, really good... Keep, remember that name. Iron Pete Crow Armstrong. I think he's going to be a big-time talent."

This segment emphasizes the potential impact of PCA on the Cubs' performance, stirring excitement among listeners.

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2. Analyzing the Knicks vs. Pacers NBA Series

A substantial portion of the episode examines the beleaguered New York Knicks facing off against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Myron and Matt dissect the Knicks' recent heartbreaking losses and scrutinize their slim chances of advancing further.

Myron Medcalf [03:03]: "Teams that are in the New York Knicks position going down 0-2 in the conference finals have won the series only 6 out of 82 times in NBA history. Just 6 out of 82 times."

Matt Jones echoes the sentiment, questioning the feasibility of the Knicks overcoming their current deficit.

Matt Jones [03:37]: "If you're down 0-2 and then going on the road... I think it is very hard to foresee a scenario where the Knicks win the series, but do you think there's any shot at all?"

Despite the bleak statistics, Myron acknowledges the Knicks' prowess as a formidable road team, leaving a sliver of hope for their supporters.

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3. The "Boring" NBA Playoff Scenario: Thunder vs. Pacers

Transitioning to the Western Conference Finals, Matt posits that the impending matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers might be the NBA's least exciting series from a marketing standpoint.

Matt Jones [05:14]: "I think this one is really hard to pick... the Thunder and Pacers could be, at least for the NBA, the most boring scenario that could have happened."

Myron counters by appreciating the competitive nature of both teams, especially highlighting Tyrese Halliburton's influence on the Pacers' dynamics.

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4. NFL Spotlight: Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers

Shifting gears to the NFL, the hosts delve into the speculated trade of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They debate the implications of such a move for both Rodgers and the Steelers' storied franchise.

Matt Jones [19:34]: "How does someone look at how he played last year with the Jets and think we need that on our roster? Let me go further. When was the last time the dude played well?"

Myron expresses skepticism about the trade, questioning Rodgers' recent performance and its alignment with the Steelers' culture of consistency.

Myron Medcalf [20:15]: "He is going to be the focus, even if you're a team like the Steelers. So, I mean, if you're Mike Tomlin and you have just worked so hard to have this stability, how do you control Aaron Rodgers?"

The discussion underscores concerns about team dynamics and Rodgers' fit within the Steelers' framework.

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5. Exclusive Interview: Jamal McGlore on Basketball Evolution and Canadian Talent

A highlight of the episode is an interview with Jamal McGlore, a former Kentucky Wildcat and Toronto Raptors ambassador. Jamal reflects on the transformation of basketball over the years, emphasizing the rise of Canadian talent in the NBA.

Jamal McGlore [27:25]: "The talent level has grown with our interest now in our bodies a lot more... with the MVP in Shai, it's just going to bring much more awareness to basketball up here."

Jamal attributes the surge in Canadian NBA players to the foundational work of pioneers like Steve Nash and the tangible inspiration provided by the Toronto Raptors' 30-year presence in the league. He also shares personal anecdotes from his collegiate and professional career, highlighting his relationship with Kentucky coach Tubby Smith and his favorite moments on the court.

Jamal McGlore [34:00]: "I owe him [Tubby Smith] tremendously for that. I was a boy. Going there and trying to learn how to be a young man was definitely trying for me."

The interview provides listeners with an insider's perspective on the growth of basketball skills, athleticism, and the strategic evolution of the game.

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6. Sports Predictions and Upcoming Events

Concluding the episode, Matt and Myron engage in a lively segment of sports predictions across various leagues, including the NBA, NHL, and the Indy 500. They analyze odds, team performances, and player potentials to forecast outcomes.

• NBA Predictions:

  • Pacers vs. Knicks: Matt backs the Pacers to win by 8-10 points despite low odds, while Myron opts for the Knicks, citing their critical need to secure victories.

• NHL Predictions:

  • Stars vs. Oilers: Both hosts favor the Oilers, recognizing their aggressive playstyle and home advantage.

• Indy 500 Predictions:

  • Alex Palu and Pato O'Ward: Matt supports O'Ward, believing he will secure his first Indy 500 victory.
  • Jamal Murray and David Malucas: Myron leans towards Malucas as a sleeper pick.

These segments not only engage listeners but also encourage them to participate by choosing their own predictions.

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7. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Features

As the episode wraps up, Matt and Myron tease upcoming segments, including a "Doof Off" with voice actors from "Phineas and Ferb" and additional sports coverage. They also highlight the intersection of pop culture with sports, hinting at humorous comparisons and future guest appearances.

Matt Jones [24:56]: "We are Sunday Morning Matt Myron for seven years... But I might have geeked out more hearing this guy was coming on Myron than anybody."

This blend of humor, pop culture, and sports ensures the podcast remains both informative and entertaining, catering to a diverse audience.

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Conclusion

"Hour 3: Party Animals" offers a multifaceted exploration of the sports realm, balancing in-depth analysis with engaging interviews and interactive segments. Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf adeptly navigate through current events, historical insights, and future predictions, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking comprehensive coverage and thoughtful discussion.

Transcript

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[Myron Metcalf]

This is Matt and Myron the Podcast.

[Matt Jones]

Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. Tonight, Pacers and Knicks game three coverage starts at 8 Eastern. Remember, we also have baseball action tonight. You got the Dodgers and the Mets. Coverage begins at 7 Eastern on ESPN radio and the ESPN app. The cub I was trying to talk about a minute ago was not Medicine Crow. His name was Pete Crow Armstrong. The Cubs fans call him pca and he's a good name to know. I think he's gonna be really, really good. Like he's, I think in his second year maybe. And just keep, remember that name. Iron Pete Crow Armstrong. I think he's going to be a big time talent.

[Myron Metcalf]

Okay. For, for the Reds, you think?

[Matt Jones]

No. Well, I wish he played for the Reds. No, he plays for the Cubs. That's what I said.

[Myron Metcalf]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

He hit the, he, he hit the home run that I was talking about a minute ago. The Knicks, two heartbreaking losses at home.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Do you feel sorry for the Knicks fans at all? Like, do you have any sympathy in your heart for those plucky New Yorkers who after getting their hopes up, have seen their hearts kind of ripped out?

[Myron Metcalf]

Not really. I mean, you know, they beat the Celtics. I mean, I think you feel for them in the Celtics series. Right. When you're competing against a team that's the defending champ, you come back, you're down 22 games, down 14 in another game. Once you beat the Celtics, though, all that goes out the window. I mean, you're supposed to be competitive against the Pacers. And if you can't hold on to a double digit lead late the way that you couldn't in game one, and if you can't compete in game two, I don't feel sorry for them.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, it was heartbreaking. You know, Aaron Neesmith makes all those crazy shots and then Halbert and the ball bounces way up in the air and then it comes down and the choke sign and Reggie Miller. I mean, don't you have any sympathy in your hearts for them?

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, it's, it's, it's something that Knicks fans have dealt with for years. Right. At the same time, once you get to this stage now, it's just about failure and disappointment if they don't advance. Because how does it get easier than this? Like a team that hasn't been in the finals of the quarter century. How do you put yourself in a position where you have to beat the Pacers to get to the NBA Finals and now you're down oh two. And by the way, do you know the numbers, Matt, about this series that I can tell you, that are going to make people affect maybe how they view this series.

[Matt Jones]

What is it?

[Myron Metcalf]

So. So teams that are in the New York knicks position going down. 02 in the conference finals have won the series only 6 out of 82 times in NBA history. Just 6 out of 82 times.

[Matt Jones]

Why haven't even Nick's crazier stat. Do you not. Do you have another stat to follow up with that?

[Myron Metcalf]

I got a few, but go ahead. I want to hear your step.

[Matt Jones]

If you're down oh two and then going on the road. So, like, if you lost your first two at home, they are. Oh, and 17.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, that's bad.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, it's all bad. That. That's bad. You know, if you're. If you're down 20 in the. In the. Fine. In the conference finals and then going down the road, you're owing 17. So, I mean, I think it is very hard to foresee a scenario where the Knicks win the series, but do you think there's any shot at all?

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, there's always a shot. They've been a very good road team. You know, they've been arguably one of the best road teams throughout the NBA playoffs. So we know that they compete. I mean, if you can win in Boston, you can win in Indiana at the same time, like, what's the scenario where you have faith in the Knicks? They were up by 17 late against the Pacers in game one. They go to overtime. They lose that game in game two. They just couldn't keep up down the stretch. And that game was pretty close as well. So, like, like, to me, once you lost in game one, it went from the. The heartfelt story of the NBA, of the New York Knicks to, man, you guys are about to miss on an opportunity that you may not get again.

[Matt Jones]

I think that's the key is the op. The opportunity sort of lost. And I do wonder now what, you know, I do wonder what the fans like. Like how the fans even react to the season. You know, they were these dudes Jalen Brunson, Carl Towns, and those guys were basically mayors of New York for. But if you end up getting swept four. Oh. After losing game one the way you do, do people look at the season differently? Can they even enjoy the Boston series win?

[Jamal McGlore]

No.

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, maybe that's why they celebrated like that, because they felt like, you know, we may not get to celebrate in this next series. But to me, if you were playing a top seat, if you were playing right now, the Celtics, right now the Cavaliers, who are the number one seed in Eastern Conference, then, yeah, I think you would look at this and go, fine, you got to this point, and that's an achievement. And this is still an achievement, no matter what happens. But when you have an opportunity and the path has sort of been created for you, you got to walk through the door. It's almost like the NCAA tournament. Like, we see this every year, Matt, where some team ends up playing an eight seed and a 12 seed, you know, and a four seed to get to the elite eight and then final Four, potentially. You got to take advantage. And if you don't, I don't know how you celebrate that missed opportunity.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Now, if we assume the Pacers are going to win, and I still think the Thunder are a big favorite in. In. In the. In the Western Conference finals, I would make the argument that the Thunder and Pacers could be, at least for the NBA, the most boring scenario that could have happened. Maybe the worst scenario. Like, if you were to start the playoffs and let's say when you started the playoffs, who were the contenders in each conference? You'd probably looked at the east and said Cleveland, Boston, New York, Indiana, and maybe Milwaukee. Right. And then you'd go to the west and you would have said Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Houston, Lakers were up there, Golden State and that group. And you were to say, if you're the NBA, what's the worst possible matchup for us from an excitement standpoint? I think there's a reasonable argument that with all of those combinations that existed, Oklahoma City, Indiana would have been the worst matchup they could have gotten. The least marketable team in the east, the least markable team in the west, even though they're great and now they may get them together, I think it literally is the NBA's worst possible scenario.

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, there's a world, man, if you get OKC versus Indiana, they might put that on Bravo and Telemundo or something. You might not even get access to that on what they plan to put in NBA tv.

[Matt Jones]

Finals it is. Imagine if they also get Florida Edmonton again in the, in the NHL. I mean both leads are going to be like what happened, you know. Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

And it's nothing against okc. I mean they have the mvp. They were the best team in the NBA by far. They were the best team in the Western Commerce by 16 games. Like that's how far ahead they were than the Houston Rockets. Right. So they legit deserve to be here. They legit a contender, but they're not on the map. And I don't think people think they're that exciting. You know, I think that's the challenge with okc.

[Matt Jones]

Well, do you think they're excited? Do you enjoy watching Oklahoma City and Indiana?

[Myron Metcalf]

I love watching from a basketball standpoint and I actually think Indiana is probably even more marketable because of the Tyrese Halliburton thing. Like Halliburton being the villain his dad getting into with Giannis. I do think there's an element of they should let.

[Matt Jones]

People don't like that Charles Barkley said you should let dad back in.

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, I think Dad's going to be there. I don't think. I think dad's going to find a way to be. He'll be somewhere. I don't know that they've really banned him. He may not be on the first row.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, wait a minute. Scoop. Do you think he's in the.

[Myron Metcalf]

No.

[Matt Jones]

You want to see? Do you know?

[Myron Metcalf]

So I don't have a scoop. I don't have a scoop, but I feel like he'll, he'll be somewhere in the building. Uh, but, but you know, Halliburton's become polarizing and a lot like Reggie Miller was 30 years ago. But OKC is just a hard sell. They're very, very good. But that's really only the only thing people know about them.

[Matt Jones]

I think you're right. I said this a few weeks ago and now they've played in multiple high profile games and I still think it's true. How many people that are sports fans do you think know what Jalen Williams looks like?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, probably not many. And probably don't know that he's an all star. Right? I mean, not many.

[Matt Jones]

I mean they don't know. And how many people do you think outside of Tyrese Halliburton, how many fans of sports that are listening right now do you think can name the starting lineup for Indiana?

[Myron Metcalf]

Probably not many. In terms of all the players, do.

[Matt Jones]

You think there are very many that can name. How many people do you think can name two more players on Indiana than, than Tyrese, I mean, I, I would.

[Myron Metcalf]

Say more than you think, only because they are now playing the Knicks. So I think this series has generated a lot of buzz. So I think there are a lot of people who have followed. If they didn't follow Indiana before this, they certainly watched these last two games. They certainly saw the Tyrese Halliburton shot on Sports center or somewhere else. I think Indiana's in a different lane because of Halliburton and because of the way they played this year.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, you may be right. I just think about, like I think about Pascal Siakam. All right. Pascal Siakam was the second best player on a championship Toronto team.

[Myron Metcalf]

He was.

[Matt Jones]

And he might be the second best player on a championship Indiana team. And yet the amount of people in America who know anything about Pascal Siakam, like there will never be a two time NBA champ who was the second best player on two different championship teams that people know less than they know Pascal Siakam, if that were to come about.

[Myron Metcalf]

No, yeah, I agree. I mean, they don't have sort of those notable names. Miles Turner, Andrew Nemhart, like a lot of people nationally don't know those guys. They know all the Knicks. I mean, they know all those dudes.

[Matt Jones]

They know the Knicks. Yeah, they've been pretty. They know Minnesota. I mean, everybody knows Ant, everybody knows Randall and everybody probably knows Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley. Like, like Minnesota's known a lot more than Oklahoma City is at this point. Now we here on Sunday Morning with Matt Myron. Were, were part of an ad campaign. Myron, I don't know if you knew that we were. And then there are also other little tidbits. Chelsea just scored on Nottingham Forest. So your guys from the Forest are going to have to do some work in order to get in the Champions league.

[Myron Metcalf]

Come on. Forest.

[Matt Jones]

500. That was the weakest cheer.

[Myron Metcalf]

So I suppose I say I don't know.

[Matt Jones]

The Indy 500 is also today. We'll deal with all that right after.

[Myron Metcalf]

You can do it next year on.

[Matt Jones]

Sunday Morning with Matt Myon. Come on, Forest.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron, the podcast.

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[Matt Jones]

Race the rudders. Race the sails.

[Myron Metcalf]

Race the sails.

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[Matt Jones]

Roger, wait. Is that an enterprise sales solution?

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[Matt Jones]

It is Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio. Matt. Myron, we are again tonight. Got NBA Eastern Conference finals on ESPN radio and Dodgers and Mets next week. Dan Povenmire, he does the voice of Doofenshmirtz. And Jeff March, who does the voice of major Monogram from Phineas and Ferb will join us next week ahead of the return of the show on the Disney Channel. We're going to talk to him about the new season. And then there are people out there who believe, Myron, that I sound like Doofenshmirtz. So we are going to have a doof off to see who sounds most like Doofenshmirtz, me or the man who voices Doofen Schmirtz. Now, I would admit I have never seen Phineas and Ferb. I am not even really familiar with the show beyond knowing it exists. But people think when I get worked up I sound like them. We'll find out next week for sure.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm looking forward to it. I mean internally, for people that don't know, this has been a big deal. Like I remember being in Bristol six months ago or something and they were talking about this. So this is, this is a big deal to people, man.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. Listen, one of my friends daughters has known me her entire life and I've been on the radio her entire life. She Told her dad, the only time I've ever thought Matt was cool was when I heard he was having the Phineas and Ferb guys on his show. So, like, that's how big it is to a certain segment of people.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm with it, man. If it builds our, you know, popularity. And between that and we got what, CMS after that, cma. I'm sorry, FIST after that.

[Matt Jones]

So, yeah, let's call it. Let's call it. Let's call it cma. Let's not call it cms.

[Producer]

Cms, like computer CMA programming cms.

[Matt Jones]

So I got the option, Myron, as a red season ticket holder to buy tickets for the Savannah Bananas because they went on sale recently, they're coming to Cincinnati. And I. I didn't do it. And people were like, how could you not do it? And I thought it was ridiculous. And then we found out when we talked about it a couple weeks ago that the team they play against is called the Party Animals. James, is that right? Are they called the Party Animals?

[Producer]

Correct? Yeah, they're the Party Animals.

[Matt Jones]

And now apparently the Party Animals are developing their own following. And the Party Animals released the this week, a video to sort of promote themselves as the Party Animals, which is the team that. It's not like the Washington Generals, they sometimes win against the Savannah Bananas. And here was a little bit of their promotional.

[Advertisement]

You gotta fight for your right.

[Matt Jones]

Party.

[Producer]

Animal team and brand was launched in.

[Jamal McGlore]

2020 as the challengers to the fan favorite Bananas, but now has built a huge fan base of their own.

[Matt Jones]

Why do I only know Savannah Bananas? It feels like the Party Animals are where the talent is. Noah Fisher, shirtless, cold run Animals are where the talent is on their promotional video. So how about that, Myron? We the the Party Animals, we are official Party Animals fans. As a matter of fact, I like, I would love to have some Party Animals merch so that I can rep them rather than these Johnny come lately. Everybody get on the bandwagon for the Savannah Bananas.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. I mean, the Savannah Bananas have enough of a bandwagon. They're Trendy, they're on TikTok. I would love to be the official, you know, kind of radio supporter of the Party Animals. Send us some gear. I'm all in.

[Matt Jones]

So this is my message to all of you that are going crazy around the world for the Savannah Bananas. Oh, they're the secondary attraction. The Party Animals are where it's at. First of all, they party. They wear better colors than yellow. Yellow looks terrible on everyone. These are actual colors that can work with no matter what your skin tone is, you can look wonderful in Party Animals gear. And they are, I've learned from, from our female listeners, very attractive. Like, they think they are a handsome group of young men as well. So, everybody, we are pro Party Animals.

[Myron Metcalf]

We are pro Party animals. I will say, though, Savannah Bananas are coming to Minnesota August 1st through the 2nd. If they would like for me to be there, I certainly, you know, I'm not so much of a party animal that I wouldn't accept tickets. I don't want to.

[Matt Jones]

I think they're playing the Party Animals. Conceivably, we could be. We could, you know, be in the Party Animals dugout instead of the Savannah Bananas. But good luck to the. My favorite team, the Party Animals. Now, someone that I find the opposite of the Party Animals is Aaron Rodgers. And Aaron Rodgers is starting to speak in code. Not just about vaccines and things in life that he knows nothing about, but also about football. He was walking in a group of fans and he said, apparently one of them was a Bears fan. And he said something like, oh, we might be playing in Chicago, you know, on the. Because I think the Steelers are scheduled to play in Chicago next year. Did you see that video and think that means Eric, Aaron Rodgers is back, or do you think he's doing his sort of normal trolling?

[Myron Metcalf]

No, I think he's going to Pittsburgh. I mean, the weird thing is that, like, Pittsburgh hasn't said anything to suggest they're not going to sign him. And Aaron Rodgers doing sort of his interview circuit, he hasn't said he's not playing, so I imagine they bring him in. I just. It's such a weird marriage, man. The Steelers sort of the embodiment of consistency and stability and then this dude. So it's going to be interesting, man.

[Matt Jones]

If you were the Steelers and I will have some version of this conversation probably a lot during the year, if you were the Steelers, would you want him on your team?

[Myron Metcalf]

I wouldn't, because I just don't think it's worth it. I also don't know that he's that much of an upgrade, you know, from. From what you have essentially. And I think no matter what you are as a franchise, what Aaron Rodgers has proven is that he is going to be the focus, even if you're a team like the Steelers. So, I mean, if you're Mike Tomlin and you have just worked so hard to have this stability, how do you control Aaron Rodgers? Because I don't think you can. So what does that.

[Matt Jones]

There is. There is a level of Aaron Rodgers brings you all the negativity of Aaron Rodgers and now the positivity is not the same. As a matter of fact, I don't even think it's in the same ballpark. I mean, how does someone look at how he played last year with the jets and think we need that on our roster? Let me go further. When was the last time the dude played well? Like when's the last time that Aaron Rodgers. I bring this up a lot. When's the last time he played football at a high level?

[Myron Metcalf]

2022, four years ago when he's the back to back MVP, you know. Okay.

[Matt Jones]

Played at a high about how long that is. I mean, you know, that's a long, long time ago. And the idea that you would risk the stability of a franchise that as you said, has been built on a certain level of control and normalcy, that you would do that for a guy that the last time we saw him play at a high level was, to be fair, probably 2022 is crazy to me.

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, it's wild. And then it's also mixed in. There is an Achilles rupture. Right? So like, yeah, you know, but he.

[Matt Jones]

Wasn'T even great the year before the Achilles rupture. You know, I mean that's part of the thing to me as well is even his last year in Green Bay was not or was not amazing. Matter of fact, I don't even know if it was particularly good. So I don't. I. It just makes no sense to me for an organization. Like it would make no sense for me for any organization, but it definitely doesn't make sense for me for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, it'll be fascinating to. To see how this plays out in Pittsburgh.

[Matt Jones]

It feels like you're holding your words more on this. You. I feel like I just doesn't make.

[Myron Metcalf]

Because I know you think the most anti Mike Tomlin move I've ever heard. It just. It doesn't make sense if they do.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, I know people want to give Mike Tom with the benefit of the doubt, but on this one we know what he is and there's no way Mike Tomlin's going to change him. So it does don't make sense. We will bring out my favorite Kentucky player, maybe NBA player of all time next.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron the podcast.

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[Matt Jones]

You know, here we've been doing Sunday Morning Matt Myron for seven years. Myron, we've been very fortunate. We've interviewed a lot of really famous people. You know, over the years we've had a lot of guests that I've really enjoyed talking to. But I might have geeked out more hearing this guy was coming on Myron than anybody. Have you ever heard me be more excited about a guest?

[Myron Metcalf]

No. I mean this is. This is like bigger than anybody that I talk about from Kentucky.

[Matt Jones]

So we're playing this summer, all summer. Guess the Wildcat for guests. And today again, I didn't know it was going to be him. We have former Wildcat in the NBA for a number of years and now works for the Toronto Raptor Raptors as an ambassador. Jamal McGlore. Jamal, I you literally the first time I was on message boards following the cats. My name was McGlore52 Jamal. My email address for a long time was magloire52hotmail.com it is very exciting to.

[Jamal McGlore]

Have you on that a boy Good. I know that wasn't your number to hear you guys. It's an honor to be on your show. Thank you.

[Matt Jones]

You were 42, I think and I but nevertheless my high school number was 52 Jamal. You, you, you played at Kentucky. I was telling them one, a couple of your highlights for me in the Kentucky game against Duke, you put Jamal or you put Wojahowski, Steve Wojahowski in the rack before we came back and beat Duke. And then you one time knocked a mascot out running off the floor from the Miami Redhawks. Which of those were your. Was your favorite moment?

[Jamal McGlore]

I think my favorite was beating up the Dukey. You know, we have a big rivalry with them. They have a great organization, they got a great program like ours, but there's just something about Duke that Kentucky always has to be on top.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that was the 98 game. That was a kump Meyer, and that was getting back at him for the 92 Leitner game.

[Myron Metcalf]

Now that was huge. Jamal, I mean, I want you to know he has spent the break just telling us about all the people you beat up and just how tough you were in your NBA and college career. What do you think when you look at this generation of NBA talent? Because there's that whole they're softer than the past generation. They couldn't have survived a past generation. How do you see that?

[Jamal McGlore]

Well, I definitely think the game of basketball has evolved. It's a different time with sports science and the fact that we know so much more about our bodies and how to recover and maintain it. I just think it was a different era not to knock these guys. Now it is a little different in where you can't be as physical with the game, but you know the game's going to continue to evolve. And with that being said, you know, the time that I was playing both at Kentucky and in the NBA, you had some of the biggest, strongest, meanest men out there that would scare people just by looking at them. And I just don't get that same feel with some of the superstars and players that you get today.

[Matt Jones]

But is that okay? So then you're good for this question. I sort of have the am of the belief the best players to play play. Now, I agree with you that there were dudes that were tougher back then, but if you're just talking a talent level, you're around the NBA now. Don't you think even in the 25 years since you've played or with 20 years since you played and the 15 since you were in the league, that the talent level is just much more advanced now, or do you still want to take up for those other guys?

[Jamal McGlore]

No, I think the talent level has grown with our interest now in our bodies a lot more. And again, I go back to sports science. I think they're a lot more skilled and talented. A great analogy is like how you have centers shooting three point shots and able to put the ball on the floor. You know, during my time we were just on the block posting up. So if you want to talk about skill and talent, the talent is definitely out there and it has evolved just like our game when I was playing. Evolved from my predecessors. Going to continue to change. But again, these guys are great, great athletes that are a lot more in tune with their body and their mind, with education that I think we missed the ball in our era a little bit with that.

[Matt Jones]

Jamal McGlore, seven NBA teams during his career. Played from 2000 until 2012. Drafted by the Hornets and then you ended up with the Raptors. You grew up in Canada. You were kind. You made the move to America to play basketball. Before it was kind of there were as many players as there are now. Now you look around the league, the MVP is Canadian Jamal Murray. You can name a ton of dudes. Are you proud? And how did it happen that Canada has risen so much in terms of creating talent?

[Jamal McGlore]

Well, I think we have done a great job here with the Toronto Raptors. Being in existence now for 30 years have given us something tangible that we could see and touch, Something that we could aspire to be and be a part of. I think has done huge volumes for us as a country. I think guys like Todd McCullough and Steve Nash, and hopefully I could put myself in that category as well, that have laid the groundwork for what you see today. Back in 2000, when I got drafted, there were three Canadians in the NBA again, Todd McCullough, Steve Nash and myself. Now we have over 25 guys that are playing in the NBA. So that's a big jump from where it was. And I think like you said, with having us have the MVP in shy, it's just going to bring much more awareness to basketball up here. The fact that we can compete and that we have great talent up here as well. I think we also have the second amount of most amount of players in the NBA outside of the United States. United States has well over 100 players in the NBA and Canada is number two with 20 something. So that's a great feat for us and we want to continue to have that number increase.

[Myron Metcalf]

Jamal, speaking of that, how close are we to in Olympics where Canada is better than the United States or really a strong candidate to win a gold medal in basketball?

[Jamal McGlore]

We're going to continue to work. That's a strong feat I would be naive to say that America doesn't have the best basketball players in this world. I've been a part of the NBA for the better part of 25 years. You know, I started in 2000. And I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly with our association. So it's definitely something that we aspire to be. But it's going to take some time. And it's going to continue to take players like Shy and Jamal Murray and Carl Anthony Towns to propel us to the next step. Not Carl Anthony Towns, but the rest of the Canadians, I should say. I was thinking.

[Matt Jones]

It's okay. It's all right, Jamal. You get all these Kentucky guys. Guys, we'll take credit for him. We were doing the Canada thing before. It was cool, so I'll take it. All right, I gotta ask you selfishly, couple Kentucky questions. What was it like playing for my guy, Tubby Smith? He seemed like he was like part fun, but also could be kind of angry. What was it like being with the Tubster?

[Jamal McGlore]

The Tubster, he was very intense. I think he was a father figure to many of us. Not to say that we didn't have fathers or caretakers in our family, but when you go to the University of Kentucky, that is our new family and he was a father figure. I could look back on, resignate on my career. And I know that he gave me a lot of chances that only a father would give a son. And I owe him tremendously for that. I was a boy. Going there and trying to learn how to be a young man was definitely trying for me. But he gave me a lot of opportunity and a lot of rope to find out who I really was as a person and a player. I remember like I may have had the second or most technical fouls in the ncaa.

[Matt Jones]

I don't think I actually know this stat. Jamal, you may not know this. You have the most technical fouls of any Kentucky player in history for their career. I don't know if you knew that.

[Jamal McGlore]

I didn't know that. I knew there was a stat out there and that's a testament to Tubby because he let me be who I was and that was that no nonsense guy that would not have anybody push our team around. And that's where those technical followers came from. It came from being Big Brother and making sure that these guys knew that, you know, we're going to out match you on the court, but if it has to be off the court, we would more than outmatch you there as well.

[Matt Jones]

All right? Last question. You played in college and the NBA. Give me of your teammates. Okay. Not people you played against. Teammates. Give me the one or two most talented players you ever played with in your 12 year NBA career or your time at Kentucky.

[Jamal McGlore]

Wow. Wow. I, I could give you a few. Baron Davis strikes a chord with me. Jason Kidd in New Jersey strikes a chord. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, they strike a chord with me. Zach Randolph in Portland.

[Myron Metcalf]

Oh, good.

[Jamal McGlore]

Really, really is a dominant player. And playing alongside him was O. I.

[Matt Jones]

Bet you two got into it and practiced, didn't you? Jamal, at some point there are a lot of fights.

[Jamal McGlore]

We respected each other. At the end of the day, he wouldn't, he wouldn't throw a punch and I wouldn't throw a punch either. That was the, the Cardinal rule.

[Myron Metcalf]

Wow.

[Matt Jones]

Boy. Zach Randolph, Jamal McGlore, practices. They would not be for the faint of heart. Jamal, thank you very much for, for doing this. Congrats real, real quick for. What was it like winning a tie, like having the Raptors win a title for your. Well, that had to be a special moment as a Canadian, right?

[Jamal McGlore]

It was very special. It was our first one. We have not won a championship in major sports since 1967 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, 93 with the Blue Jays. Sorry. And it was a long time coming. It's not only we're the only Canadian, we're the only team in Canada. So we don't only have Toronto on our back, but we have the whole country. So you could imagine, you know, having 2 million people at our parade, having our first championship, me growing up in Toronto and this thing has taken a 360 degree turn. You know, leaving at 18, coming back at 35 as a player, coaching, winning a championship has just been historical for me and I'm so, so humbled.

[Matt Jones]

Jamal McGlory, thank you very much for being part of Name that Wildcat and for giving me my initial Internet handle. We appreciate the time.

[Jamal McGlore]

Thank you. Matt and Myron caught me anytime.

[Matt Jones]

There you go. Appreciate it. That was very cool. That's very cool for me, man.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, man.

[Matt Jones]

When I McGlore 50, there's still a segment of the Kentucky fan base that still calls me McGlor52. So that, that was awesome. Thank you for setting that up. We are going. There's a lot of action. We got the Indy 500, we got the soccer, baseball, basketball, NHL. It's all coming. We got to tell you who's going to win these things. We'll do that right after this.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron, the Podcast.

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[Myron Metcalf]

Go to your happy price.

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[Matt Jones]

It is Sunday morning, Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio. Hope everybody's enjoying their Memorial Day weekend. Doing something nice outside or with you, your families. It is. The Indy 500 is about to start. I think there's, you know, a little bit of Sun. Big 350,000 people there. Myron, would you ever go to this event where people, you know, are not. Not necessarily in the shower, but still having a lot of fun?

[Myron Metcalf]

Stop, man. They shot. I would love to. It's on my bucket list. You know, it's one of those. It's high on my list of things I still got to do. Sporting events I still need to see. Yeah, definitely.

[Matt Jones]

What is that list of things you haven't been. You haven't been in the derby, right? You gotta do that Derby.

[Myron Metcalf]

The Derby Indy. I want to see a Premier League game and then I want to go to an India Pakistan cricket match.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, really? You want to go to India Pakistan? Interesting. No, that was one I wouldn't have predicted. That's cool. All right, so it is now time with a big set of events today for us to tell you who's going to win. Let's take your pick. All right, let's get started. What's up first?

[Producer]

All right, up first, Nick's at Pacers. The Pacers are one and a half point favorites. You can tune in tonight on ESPN Radio. Coverage begins at 7:30. Who you got?

[Matt Jones]

While the paces are only one and a half point favorites.

[Producer]

That's it.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, loaded up. They're winning this one. They're winning by eight to 10 points. I love the Pacers here. I'm shocked. I thought that number would be in Indiana. I thought that number was going to be much higher. One and a half. Give me Indiana all day long, Myron.

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, the Knicks have been a really good road team, you know, so they've been in this situation. Not down oh two, but they've been in this spot. So I think if you can win in Boston, you can win in Indianapolis. This is a must win game beyond even tonight. You know what I mean? Like, you made all these trades. What does it mean if you go down 03 with everything you did to try to put yourself in position to win a championship? I'll take the Knicks.

[Matt Jones]

I think they got to be careful not to overreact, though. I mean, I like it. I don't think they need to change their. They beat the Celtics, right? I mean, this is. If they. If Halliburton misses that last shot, this is a different series. So I just think that Nick's got to be careful not to overreact. What's next?

[Producer]

I will look ahead to tomorrow night, the Thunder and Timberwolves. You'll be able to Hear that on ESPN radio as well. 8:00pm Eastern. OKC leads the series two to one. They're also three and a half point favorites tomorrow night.

[Matt Jones]

See, I think this one is really hard to pick. I could see a world where Minnesota wins, makes this a series goes back. I could also see a world where Oklahoma City wins by 15 and bounces back. I think the latter world is more likely. So give me Oklahoma State to cover the three and a half and win.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean, this place is going to be buzzing, man. You know, Memorial Day weekend, people don't have to work. Uh, I think that building will be electric. Uh, and I think the Timberwolves found out that if you can punch first against the Thunder, you can kind of quiet them. Didn't let them get in transition. Didn't let them to control the game with the way that they can score on fast breaks. Made sure that SGA was quiet. He won't be in this next game. But I think the Timberwolves found something and I think they went again at home.

[Matt Jones]

All right, what's next?

[Producer]

All right, let's go to the NHL. The Stars and Oilers play today at 3pm Eastern on ABC and ESPN Plus. The Oilers are minus 170 in game three.

[Matt Jones]

This series has been all over the place in the first two games with. With Dallas kind of dominating. 1, Edmonton 2 this is going to be a crazy crowd up in Edmonton for this. I'm going to say the Oilers take game three. You know, in hockey, you never know, but I think we're headed maybe for Florida versus Edmonton again. So I'm going to take the Oilers to get the win at home.

[Myron Metcalf]

I like the Oilers. I mean, if you look at what they did in the second period of game two, I mean, they were just really aggressive. And I think that, to me is the edge here, is the way that they can just kind of like, who's your favorite?

[Matt Jones]

Who's your favorite player? But besides Connor McDavid, like, if you were to pick a couple, you know, one or two other guys that really tickle your fancy, what would they be? Myron, I know you're a big fan.

[Myron Metcalf]

First of all, I don't say things like tickle your fancy, but Ryan Nugent Hopkins.

[Matt Jones]

Who? What's his name?

[Myron Metcalf]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

What's his name?

[Myron Metcalf]

Ryan Nugent Hopkins. It's been a good.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, you're a big Ryan Nugent Hopkins fan. I mean, you're not just reading. You're not just reading his name off.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm looking at you. I'm looking at you. What am I looking at? I'm looking at you.

[Matt Jones]

All right, what about the stars? Who do you think? It's important that plays well for the stars.

[Myron Metcalf]

They're golden.

[Matt Jones]

Fair enough. Good point. They got to have a good goalie, you know? All right, if you don't have a good goalie, you're not going to do well. Miko ranted. It would be who maybe the stars need to have play well. Who's next?

[Producer]

All right, we'll look ahead to tomorrow. Hurricanes at Panthers in game four. Hurricanes looking to not get swept for the fourth consecutive time in the Eastern Conference finals. Panthers are minus 170 to win that one.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, we're getting swept. I mean, just go ahead and call it a night. We're getting swept. We've been awful this entire series. I don't see it changing. I'll take the Panthers to win.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's amazing. I mean, I'm surprised more people don't talk about that. Being swept potentially for a fourth time in a row at this exact stage.

[Matt Jones]

It's wild, dad. After. After maybe 16.

[Myron Metcalf]

Oh, and 16 after playing so well.

[Matt Jones]

In the early rounds. Like, like, like. I mean, the Hurricanes, a lot of those years ran through the first and second round only to get swept. It's really an statistic and one I'm not proud of as a Hurricanes fan. What's Next?

[Producer]

The Indy 500 is today. Getting ready to start here pretty soon. Alex Palu and Pato o' Ward are co favorites. What do you guys got here?

[Matt Jones]

Well, first of all, I mean this is, you know, the day of Mario Andretti and A.J. foyt and Rick Mears and Ari Lyon Dyke, Bobby Ray hall, all of these superstars, you know, he hasn't won yet. He's come in second two years in a row. Give me paddle award to finally break through and get his Indy 500 victory. I will take him. Joseph New Garden, by the way, going for his third in a row. Myron.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I think New Garden is probably the easy pick, right.

[Matt Jones]

He has to go to the back. He got caught cheating so he has to start all the way in the back.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I like a young guy. David Malucas, 23 year old from Lithuania. He's bounced around but finally found a home with the number four car driver.

[Matt Jones]

Bounced around where all's.

[Myron Metcalf]

He bounced around different teams. Finally found a team that he loves and they've embraced him. The number four car, A.J. foyt. He's right.

[Matt Jones]

You've been scouting him a while. You were watching Lithuanian racing to try to get a sense of him, right?

[Myron Metcalf]

He's, he's, he's running fast, he's not getting caught in the corner on the turns and he's, he's being smooth like now the question tonight is can Dave Malucas know when to make his move? Hard for a 23 year old to understand that in the Indy 500, but I think he's got the right team around him and I think he wins. Qualified seventh. Look for him to be a sleeper in this race.

[Matt Jones]

All right, well, there you go. I don't know how you could have any more analysis than that. Sunday morning is presented by Progressive Insurance. Tune in for baseball action tomorrow, the Rangers and the Blue Jays for a special Memorial Day game. Coverage begins at 3:30 Eastern on ESPN radio and the ESPN app. Everybody enjoy, enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day, Myron. Just two weeks you and I will be putting on the hats and doing a little shaboozy. And Zach top, you ready to rock?

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm ready, man.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. That should be fun. Sunday morning ESPN Radio.

[Myron Metcalf]

Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on ESPN radio, the ESPN app and on Sirius XM channel 80. Matt and Myron, the podcast.

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