Alley Oop 174: OKC & Chet Holmgren’s INSANE #1 Seed Streak…Plus Kings Drama & KD Trash Talk

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Alley Oop 174: OKC & Chet Holmgren’s INSANE #1 Seed Streak…Plus Kings Drama & KD Trash Talk

Date: April 10, 2026
Co-Hosts: Juju Gotti & Trista Crick

---

Episode Overview

This episode of the "Alley Oop" segment features Juju Gotti and Trista Crick diving deep into current NBA storylines right before the playoffs. The conversation centers on Cade Cunningham's remarkable return, OKC Thunder's dominance and Chet Holmgren's unique #1 seed streak, the Sacramento Kings’ controversial fouling incident, Steph Curry's place on the NBA Mount Rushmore, Anthony Davis’ surprise reaction to a team call, and a hilarious breakdown of KD vs. Dylan Brooks trash talk.

The show maintains the signature laid-back, humorous, and irreverent tone Le Batard listeners expect.

---

Breakdown of Key Discussion Points

Cade Cunningham’s Return & Pistons Playoff Hopes

[00:47–02:47]

• Juju Gotti highlights the Pistons’ struggles without Cade Cunningham but celebrates his return from a collapsed lung.
  • “The fact that you're back in record time shows one, your determination... two, the freakish nature of your genetics, which I think will serve you well for the length of your career." – Trista [01:20]
• The duo discusses the Pistons’ playoff chances with a healthy backcourt of Cade and Danish Jenkins.
  • “For the number one seed in the east to not be fully healthy... is a God shame. And now we don't have to worry about that anymore.” – Trista [02:27]
• Juju admits, “Boy, my ass be wrong as hell… so Knick fans, don’t attack me if y’all beat the Pistons, but keep your eye on them, you dig?” [03:03]

---

OKC Thunder’s Dominance & Chet Holmgren’s Streak

[03:10–06:25]

• Juju pivots to the Oklahoma City Thunder locking up the #1 seed and asks if it’s “OKC’s to lose.”
• Trista shares a mind-blowing stat:
  • “Chet Holmgren has been the number one overall seed every single year in his entire career. From high school on… one seed in Minnesota, one seed at Gonzaga, and one seed in Oklahoma City.” [04:19]
• The pair heap praise on OKC’s depth and adaptability:
  • “They’ve got defenders everywhere… Even on the road, they're properly coached. They have the best GM, maybe on planet Earth in history, Sam Presti… and they haven’t even played their best hoop yet.” – Trista [05:35]
• Juju highlights OKC’s “next man up” mentality, naming key role players and their ability to step up throughout the season.

---

Sacramento Kings’ Late-Game Foul Controversy

[06:25–08:41]

• Juju raises the Kings’ suspect late-game foul on Seth Curry, which fueled tanking accusations.
• Trista likens it to “Rick Carlisle type of behavior,” describing the move as “brilliant and undetectable.”
  • “The Joker franchise of the West, maybe of all, does something that’s quite brilliant and undetectable.” – Trista [07:22]
• The trash-talk is heavy but playful:
  • “You just got in town from South Carolina... your main job was to butcher pigs. That’s just what I think.” – Trista [08:30]
  • “They fresh off the boat, looking for a record deal from Mr. Barry Gordy.” – Juju [08:34]

---

Shaq Puts Steph Curry on His NBA Mount Rushmore

[09:10–12:26]

• Clip of Shaquille O’Neal on the Pat McAfee Show where he places Steph Curry on his Mount Rushmore:
  • “Gotta put Steph Curry. Hell yeah, he’s back… you definitely gotta put him as one of the greatest players of all time.” – Shaq [09:10]
• Juju and Trista weigh in:
  • “Modern Mount Rushmore for sure.” – Trista [10:03]
  • Trista: “I think Steph Curry at his age… I am more scared of him than I am of Shea, of Jokic… If you put Steph on OKC, I think he’s just as scary, maybe more scary than Shai.” [10:43–11:30]
  • “My boy saved Earth. Who knows what the earth would have done if Steph Curry doesn’t hit those shots? Like, we could be Mars right now.” – Juju [12:26]

---

Anthony Davis’ Surprise Team Call

[13:05–14:17]

• Anthony Davis reenacts a confusing call from his new team GM:
  • “Yeah, I told you I was gonna come get you one day. I wanted you.” – Anthony Davis (imitating his team GM) [13:24]
• Juju and Trista crack up at the awkwardness:
  • “Could you imagine? I told you I was gonna come and get you, and that’s the first call I get from my new team, man, hell nah, bro. Take the trade back.” – Juju [14:09]
  • Trista jokes, “What kind of Weinstein-esque casting couch conversation you’re putting me in the middle of?” [14:17]

---

Kevin Durant vs. Dylan Brooks Trash Talk Breakdown

[14:58–16:34]

• The hosts crack up watching Dylan Brooks trash-talking KD during a Suns game, then KD scores anyway.
  • “Kd, you ain’t nothing. I came to the Suns. Play from the back. Play it back from the top. Roll that video back.” – Juju [15:34]
  • Trista mocks Brooks’ imagined trash talk: “Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s my valley now. These are my smooth roads now...” [16:03]
• Hilarious running commentary on Brooks’ swagger and subsequent comeuppance.
  • “Elizabeth, I’m coming to join you. Dylan Brooks, get your ass up, boy. After talking all that crap.” – Juju [16:24]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Chet Holmgren has been the number one overall seed every single year in his entire career.” – Trista [04:19]
• “That hamstring wants to pop like a pimple.” – Trista, on Aaron Gordon [04:21]
• “My boy saved Earth… we could be Mars right now if it wasn’t for Steph Curry.” – Juju [12:26]
• “What kind of Weinstein-esque casting couch conversation you’re putting me in the middle of?” – Trista [14:17]
• “Elizabeth, I’m coming to join you. Dylan Brooks, get your ass up, boy.” – Juju [16:24]

---

Key Timestamps

• 00:47 — Cade Cunningham’s injury, return, and impact on the Pistons
• 03:10 — OKC Thunder’s regular season dominance; Chet Holmgren’s streak
• 06:25 — Sacramento Kings’ controversial late foul and tanking banter
• 09:10 — Shaq anoints Steph Curry as a Mount Rushmore guy
• 13:24 — Anthony Davis’ awkward first phone call story
• 14:58 — KD vs. Dylan Brooks trash talk feature

---

This episode seamlessly blends deep NBA analysis with sharp wit and vibrant personality, providing both hardcore insights and offbeat entertainment for basketball and pop culture fans alike.

Transcript

[A]

What kind of Weinstein esque casting couch conversation you're putting me in the middle of, right? What in the. Diana Rossini at the Rooftop.

[B]

Welcome back to the Alley oop. I am Juju Gotti, joined by my sister, Trista Crick. How you doing, my dog?

[A]

What's up, Juju?

[B]

What the hell was that?

[A]

That was my. That was my highlighter. We're highlighting some today. We got the lighter for the. We got lipstick in case we need to put lipstick on a pig.

[B]

You feel me? Come on, man. You know you feel me. Speaking of dressing things up in pigs, I wouldn't call the Pistons quite the pig, but without Kate Cunningham, they were a different squad. But breaking news, my boy is back from a collapse. Long, praise God. How do you feel about the Pistons chances moving forward with my boy?

[A]

What do I want to say about this?

[B]

Here we go. I forgot who I was asking.

[A]

So I. I learned something this week, and it was. It was. Not everything inside your head needs to be. Not every opinion needs to be given. You know what I mean? And sometimes you can say something that's not a lie because you know, I'm never gonna speak the. The false. Falsehood. But I'm going to say everything I'm thinking, right, Juju? I'm gonna focus on the good things. Number one, Kate Cunningham. You've been missed, Kate Cunningham. A collapsed lung is nothing to play with. And the fact that you're back in record time shows one, your determination to get back on the court. Two, the freakish nature of your genetics, which I think will serve you well for the length of your career. Number three, the fact that you are going to be ready to go for the playoffs, which for many teams is a scary scenario. For those like the New York Knicks that were hoping that you would sit out the first two series, they can go ahead and forget about it.

[B]

So get about it.

[A]

Forget about it. For the number one seed in the east to not be fully healthy going into the playoffs, I think is a God shame. And now we don't have to worry about that anymore. So Danish Jenkins has been. Has been balling out of his mind, and now he and Cade can be a backcourt that can get busy in the first and second rounds.

[B]

Hey, here we go. Yo. Here.

[A]

That was nice, right?

[B]

That was like a really nice scenario. Here we go. Yeah. Here we go. Yeah. So what's. So what's the. What's that scenario? That's what the New York Knicks is saying. Cause you right, bro. I don't think they want to see Them boys, man, it got it almost. It was getting scary last year during the playoffs in which me and my sister attended Madison Square Garden. You feel me? Come on. I. I don't think they want it this year, but stay tuned, man, because I'm often wrong. That's what I learned this year. You might have learned that, hey, maybe not say everything that comes to mind. I've learned that. Boy, my ass be wrong as hell. So when this. In the few times I be right, let me be a little more humble about it, you feel me? So, New York Knick fans, don't attack me if y' all beat the Pistons, but keep your eye on them, you dig? Moving on, though, man, to the west side. Okay. See, man, them boys is locked up the number one seed. Of course, you already know how that goes. They looking pretty impressive while doing so, if I might add. Dog, is this. I mean, we. We talk about this every year since the. I mean, every week since the beginning of the season. Is this okay? Seeds to lose. And here we are again. Is this okay? Sees to lose? Especially how Denver been looking lately. Aaron Gordon, hamstring holding on for now in dear life.

[A]

Juju, that hamstring is hanging on his bone for dear life. He's too strong. He's just too explosive. That hamstring wants to pop like a pimple. And it's. We've been dealing with this hamstring for 12 months. He. He had this issue in the playoffs last year. What I will say is this. First and foremost, you can take this for the show stat of the day. Chet Holmgren has been the number one overall seed every single year in his entire career. From high school on. Every year from high school on, they've been the onesie one seed in Minnesota, one seed at Gonzaga, and one seat in Oklahoma City. I don't even know if my mind can comprehend that level of consistent winning. And Chet, I'm proud of you. And I love this OKC team, their stats. They've got defenders everywhere. They've got role players that can be not the others, but they can step up to be avengers when they need to. Even on the road, they're properly coached. They have the best gm, maybe on planet Earth in history, Sam Presti. I just think, yeah, it's okay. Sees to lose because they're fully healthy. They're the one seed, and they haven't even played their best hoop yet.

[B]

Right, bruh? They haven't even had Jalen on Jalen. You did really just go crazy. They really had a. A hamstring or elbow on everybody. And don't get me started on a bench, bruh. Like somebody go down. What's so valuable to me about them is it don't matter. You look up and down that, that, that bench somebody if not everybody, excuse me, pardon me, done had themselves a game this year. Like you see my boy K. Williams down with the shag on the back of his neck. He had himself a couple of games early in the season. Isaiah Joe, he keeps having him a couple of games whenever you need him, you dig? And what's Wiggins. So that's A.J.

[A]

mitchell.

[B]

A.J. mitchell. Come on man. My boy Jared McCain. You did, bruh. I'm saying like that's what I think that they might have found the key to whatever the case is. What's it, what is it to found the youth with that? Because even if you get an injury during the playoffs, man, next man up looking strong. But he bout the battle like Master P them Silk the shocker you did Mia X. But moving on, man, did you see the Kings the other night file so late in the game tied up, they filed Seth Curry and it looked like a tanking situation, but they've come out and said nah, we was just, that was a mistake. We didn't mean for them to call that file or we didn't mean for him to file intentionally there. What, what are your thoughts on that scenario? Doug Christie, Joker of the day.

[A]

It's a very un Kings thing to do because this is Rick Carlile type of behavior we've seen. We gave the credit to the Pacers for surreptitiously tanking in ways that cannot be adjudicated by Adam Silver and, and now the Kings, the Joker franchise of the west maybe of all does something that's quite brilliant and undetectable. So to me it was like when Frank Lucas added the milk sugar to the, to the doji and, and then all of a sudden he's selling it back out on the streets and he tells Stella Gigante that it was actually, actually Bumpy Johnson that did it. And it's like now he's goes from getting shot in the head to now being Stella Gigante's right hand man and snitch on Bumpy. I don't know how they makes that make sense to me, but I think it makes sense to you as well. Like you're the new kid on the block. Kings like you shouldn't have this level of savvy. You just got in town from, from, from South Carolina. Okay.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So your main job was to Butcher pigs. I don't know. That's just what I think.

[B]

Right. They fresh off the boat, looking for a record deal from Mr. Barry Gordy.

[A]

Right?

[B]

You should have all this sash just yet, young man. But yeah, man, moving on, man. We got some videos to get to. Some. Some. Some controversial slash awesome videos. Mind provoking videos from the last couple of days. First up, man, we got my brother Shaquille o' Neal admitting that Steph Curry is now on his Mount Rushmore, please. Oh, roll that beautiful bean footage when

[C]

you're talking about that goat conversation. I would like to hear all the names. And I'm about to add one more name because he's unbelievable. Rather than just going Mike and LeBron, which is fine. It's your choice. Gotta put Kobe in there. Just put him in a conversation. And now I'm standing here on the Pat McAfee Show. Gotta put Steph Curry. Hell yeah, he's back. Last night. The only thing Steph Curry has not done that those other guys have done is the finishing dunk. Think about what I'm saying. Like, all the other guys, they have. They have a finishing dunk play, but Steph Curry behind that line is, you know, the impact is similar to a finishing dunk, but you definitely got to put him as one of the greatest players of all time. So that's your Mount Rushmore right there. Yeah, sounds like. Yeah.

[B]

All right, Brad, what do you think? Dodd, do you agree? Do you disagree? Is Steph on the Mount Rushmore now?

[A]

Modern Rush? Mount Rushmore for sure.

[B]

All right, here we go.

[A]

I don't know if I put them on the Mount Rushmore in history. I don't know. Like, I'm not saying no, but I just can't automatically because I haven't thought about this, like, fully.

[B]

Okay, I see what you're saying.

[A]

So I can't really say yes or no. I'm leaning yes, though. Like, my mind says. And I said this to. To Cameron and Mace when they asked, like, who's that player that you fear most in the playoffs?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Is it Shea? Is it Jokic? Is it whoever that else they said? Yanis?

[B]

Whatever else.

[A]

Whatever else that they said. But, like, I know he's not really relevant because he doesn't have a team that can do anything for him because Pods is over there, steady floating, waiting for the past to come his way instead of setting a screen. So, like, I think Steph Curry at this age. That's the one. There it is. We were waiting for it. I think Steph Curry at his Age, I am more scared of him than I am of Shea, of Jokic. Like, if you put Step on okc, I think he's just as scary, maybe, maybe more scary than Shay. If you put Steph on the Denver Nuggets, I think he's as scary, if not scarier then Jokic. You put him on Boston scarier. I mean, that team, that team that won the title. The last time I won the title, that team shouldn't have won a title. You kidding me? But it was Steph, and Steph saved the world. As you always bring up juju.

[B]

There we go.

[A]

There it is. Against the Monstars in France. Bonjour, Au revoir, Ida, croissant and night night. So to me, yes. To me, the answer is yes. What you think?

[B]

As they say in France, N you. Look, I had one thing and one thing only to prove that Steph Curry belong on the Mount Rushmore. And my sister know me so well, she went ahead and said it. My boy saved Earth. Who wants the earth?

[A]

Who knows what the earth would have done if Steph Curry doesn't hit those shots? Like, we could be Mars right now. We could be Jupiter right now if it wasn't for Steph Curry.

[B]

Literally. Jupiter and I got some shocking news. If you out there and you standing up, sit down, because I'm about to blow your mind, bruh. When it comes to Serbia, Joel Embiid helped save the world.

[A]

He did. He did.

[B]

Hero. No Mount Rushmore for Joel, but an

[A]

American hero against an Eastern European team. We just cannot have them taking over.

[B]

No. Absolutely not. Moving on. Man, did you see Anthony Davis reenacted the call he got. Oh, my God, bruh. Dumb folks is crazy as hell for how that rolled out. He seemed to be just as surprised as us. And if you believe what he said, listen to my boy.

[D]

Nico was calling me and I'm like, rich, I'm call you back. Like, hello. Yeah, I told you I was gonna come get you one day. I wanted you.

[B]

Hey, yo, stop it. Hey,

[D]

Nico was calling me and I'm like, rich, I'm gonna call you back. Like, hello? Yeah, I told you I was gonna come get you one day. I wanted you.

[B]

Hey, man.

[A]

Yes, that's the same. I'm glad that that was the reaction that Anthony Davis had, which was, right,

[B]

bro,

[A]

I wanted you. Could you imagine? I told you I was gonna come and get you,

[B]

and that's the first call I get from my new team, man, hell nah, bro. Take the trade back bit, bro. I don't want to play for him.

[A]

Listen, what is. What's involved with playing for you? I don't like what kind of Weinstein esque casting couch conversation you're putting me in the middle of.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Why in the Diana Rossini at the Rooftop. Sorry, having technical difficulties. My bad. I don't know what happened.

[B]

Look, luckily, since you having technical difficulties, you didn't affect us at all by saying. Look, man, lastly, before we get up out of here, man, did you see KD versus Dylan Brooks, bro?

[A]

No, I didn't see it. Let me see it, bruh.

[B]

You know how Dylan Bruce. They'd be talking crap, bro. The whole game, bro. He was talking crap to my boy kd. And I'm very excited to talk about this because this was really fun.

[A]

Yes. I love that Dylan's in me.

[B]

Laugh.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Look at Dylan Brooks. That's how Dylan be from the show. He be talking to folks just like this at the grocery store. Look at Dylan.

[A]

I love this.

[B]

Come on, man.

[A]

Oh, no.

[B]

And he hit the shot, bro. I promise to God. We need to put some saxophones that boys in the hood. Saxophone. We need to put that behind that, bro. Cause my boy was talking cash. Kd, you ain't nothing. I came to the suns. Play from the back. Play it back from the top. Roll that video back from the top. And say. What do you think my boy Dylan Bruce was actually saying to my boy in this moment? It's a brand new day. You're in a birthday chirping.

[A]

He said, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's my valley now. These are my smooth roads now. Yeah, yeah, yeah. They didn't even like you. You there? Yeah. See, this is what I'm trying to say. This my city now. This is my city now. Yeah, yeah. I got you. I got my bows up on you two Phys.

[B]

Elizabeth, I'm coming to join you. Dylan Brooks, get your ass up, boy. After talking all that crap, man.

[A]

Boy, low top ass, all birds,

[B]

Man. That's gonna do it for another episode of the Alley, man. Thank y' all as usual for joining, man. And very, very special thanks as always to Ms. Rebecca Donahue and my brother, the distinguished, distinguished Dylan. You know it. Any last words on the way out,

[A]

Chester, without y', all, who the hell are we? Sorry, I don't know what happened with my computer. The Internet's been going crazy.

[B]

It's all good, man. My sister booked and busy. That's all that matter, man. Check out my sister at Trista Creek on all social medias and check us out at DLS Hoops. On YouTube at Alley Oop show at the alleyoopshow.com what is it?

[A]

Yep, the alley oopshow.com and we are every. Every Tuesday on the DLS Hoops page. Every Friday on the Dan Lebatar show and friends page. You know what time it is? Find us. That's where we're gonna be at today. Well, you already watched it, so next Friday as well. Lock in www.alleyoopshow.com.