The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Hour 1: Already In The Vodka (feat. Charles Barkley)
January 20, 2026

Episode Overview

Live from Miami's Elser Hotel, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the crew welcome NBA legend and media personality Charles Barkley for an hour of sports reflection, honest banter, and Barkley’s signature no-filter takes. Conversations bounce from the Miami-Indiana showdown and Barkley’s love of hockey to brutal NBA assessments, gambling woes, and a slew of memorable inside-the-media anecdotes. Wrapped in hilarity and blunt wisdom, the episode delivers honest commentary on sports, media, and fame—with classic Barkley as the star.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Miami vs Indiana: Home Game Mystique & Underdog Narratives

[00:10 – 01:27]

• Dan marvels at Miami being an underdog at home for the championship, questioning sports narrative memory:

  “Do you people have no sense of history what that means? Miami wins that game always... How in holy hell am I living in a universe where the world has made Miami overwhelming underdog to win a home game?" (Dan, 00:10)

• Chris Cody credits Indiana’s recent incredible performances, especially Mendoza’s stats, but stays optimistic for Miami.
• The group lightly jokes about on-field tactics, the “tush push,” and Miami’s offensive line dominance.

2. Charles Barkley on Hockey, Miami, and Unfiltered Media Takes

[01:27 – 04:15]

• Dan notes Barkley’s surprising love for the Florida Panthers and hockey in general; Barkley praises the hockey culture:

  "They have a code of honor. You never have to worry about guys out here doing load management. They just want to win the Stanley Cup.” (Charles, 02:13)

• Barkley jokes about not being asked on the show and teases Sedano.
• Segue into broader media criticism, especially about modern sports punditry:

  “…Have we got to the point now where you just have to be an idiot or a fool or a jackass to be on television or podcasts or something? Now you can't have...I can't tell the Hurricanes they had a great season." (Charles, 03:28)

3. Charles Barkley on ESPN Life, Career Longevity, and Work Philosophy

[04:15 – 07:17]

• Barkley is candid about his contract and retirement talk, emphasizing he won’t allow ESPN to “work me to death”:

  "Hey, Dan, I got seven years left...I'm 100% retired, but if I can do something just a little bit stupid. So they have to fire me. They'll have to pay me for the whole seven years." (Charles, 04:05)

• Frustrated by lack of on-air time, Barkley wants a heavier in-season schedule, but maintains boundaries on working “every damn show.”

4. NBA: Kevin Durant’s Legacy and Critique of Modern Player Decisions

[07:17 – 09:46]

• Dan asks about Durant surpassing Dirk, referencing Chris Whittingham's “worst possible way for your legacy” comment.
• Barkley harshly critiques Durant’s team-hopping:

  "Every basketball person knows this, Dan. You don't go to New York and play for the Nets. You go to New York and play for the damn Knicks...That's basketball 101." (Charles, 07:53)

• He continues—Phoenix is better without KD, and Dillon Brooks draws his praise as the needed “crazy person that sets the tone for the team.”

5. Ja Morant & Self-Inflicted Downfalls

[09:46 – 10:58]

• Dan probes if there’s a precedent for a star like Ja “discount binned.”
• Barkley:

  “…The reason Ja Morant is in a discount aisle…self-inflicted wounds…Because now you got to make business decisions because these guys make so much money now you can't pay a guy 60, 70, $80 million and we gonna be mediocre." (Charles, 09:56)

6. LeBron and the All-Star Voting, and the Broken All-Star Model

[10:58 – 13:06]

• Chris Cody and Barkley discuss LeBron’s All-Star fate.
• Barkley presents his radical fix:

  “Make it international against the US…The reason they don't want to do it, because the international team will kick our ass. That's exactly why they won't do it.” (Charles, 11:15)

• Barkley respects LeBron's career, suggests he “didn’t deserve” this year’s All-Star spot by merit, but still wants to see him there if it’s his farewell.

7. Charles Barkley’s Gambler Tales: Miami-Indiana Recap

[22:12 – 25:46]

• Barkley admits to losing big by double-betting on Indiana, explaining his rationale and the “line trickery:”

  “I went to the sports book and I called my bookie. So I bet big twice. So I got my ass kicked twice…But, man, you know what? Hey, that's gambling, brother. That's gambling.” (Charles, 22:26 & 23:59)

• Offers classic philosophy: there’s no bad gambler, “depends on if I win or lose.” (25:06)

8. On Shaq, TV Chemistry, and Sensitivity to Criticism

[28:06 – 29:31]

• Barkley opens up on working with Shaq:

  “Shaq—he can dish it out, but he can’t take it. And me, if I’m gonna dish it out, I gotta be able to take it…Shaq can dish it out, but he can’t take it. That’s his only weakness.” (Charles, 28:31)

• Dan jokes that Barkley’s relationship with Shaq is harsher than any criticism Dan himself has offered.

9. Generational Greatness: Jokic, Wembanyama, and Evolution

[17:32 – 21:05]

• Dan asks about measuring greats across generations; Barkley keeps Jokic in present greatness, but not on historical GOAT tiers:

  “We don’t appreciate how great [Jokic] is. But I said I’m not putting him above Bill Russell, Wilt, Kareem…as much as I love the Joker, you’re not going to put him out there against Shaq and Hakeem, are you?” (Charles, 17:51)

• Brief discussion about the impact of evolution on legends; Barkley points to size/injury concerns for players like Wembanyama.

10. Bobrovsky Mispronunciation and “Already in the Vodka”

[21:05 – 22:12]

• Charles jokes about mis-pronouncing Panthers goalie Bobrovsky:

  “I was already in the Sergey Vodka before I got to Bobrovsky…I’m not gonna go to a hockey game and not drink, Dan.” (Charles, 21:29)

11. Media, Legacy, and Miami's Perception

[39:56 – 41:15]

• The crew debates Dan’s long-held “bad rep” among younger Miami Hurricanes fans, referencing Pell Grant stories and local media animosity.
• Lighthearted suggestions on how Dan could repair his Miami image.

12. Barkley’s Shout-out to Dan’s Mother and Sentimental Close

[32:59 – 34:58]

• Barkley closes on a sentimental note, skipping classic jabs to praise Dan:

  “But I told you, man, I got so much love and admiration for you and Tim Kalashaw…The best thing you ever did for me, Dan, was hooking me up with your mom. That lady's a saint…” (Charles, 33:09)

• Adds comedic color about grandparent text exchanges and "the fat old daddy of yours."

Notable Quotes & Moments

Barkleyisms & Banner Exchanges

• “Have we got to the point now where you just have to be an idiot or a fool or a jackass to be on television or podcasts or something?” (Charles, 03:28)
• “You don’t go to New York and play for the Nets. You go to New York and play for the damn Knicks. Come on, man. That’s basketball 101.” (Charles, 07:53)
• “If I can do something just a little bit stupid. So they have to fire me. They'll have to pay me for the whole seven years.” (Charles, 04:19)
• “There’s no such thing as a bad card player…depends on if I win or lose.” (Charles, 25:06)
• “Shaq can dish it out, but can’t take it…That’s his only weakness.” (Charles, 28:31)
• “We don’t appreciate how great [Jokic] is. But…as much as I love the Joker, you’re not going to put him out there against Shaq and Hakeem, are you? Come on, Dan, stop it.” (Charles, 17:51)
• “The best thing you ever did for me, Dan, was hooking me up with your mom. That lady's a saint.” (Charles, 33:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:10 Dan on Miami’s home field legacy, Indiana underdog hype
• 01:27 Welcoming Charles Barkley, hockey love
• 03:01 Barkley critiques media, sports commentary
• 04:05 Charles on his contract/retirement and ESPN
• 07:17 Durant conversation, legacy decisions
• 09:46 Ja Morant and “discount bin” athletes
• 10:58 LeBron’s All-Star dilemma, Barkley’s international fix
• 17:32 Jokic, generational greatness, Wembanyama health
• 21:05 Bobrovsky nickname/vodka joke
• 22:26 Barkley’s gambling on Miami-Indiana
• 28:06 Relationship with Shaq, sensitivity to criticism
• 32:59 Barkley’s praise for Dan’s mother and heartfelt close
• 39:56 Miami fans, local reputation, and Pell Grant references

Tone, Personality & Takeaways

The show is high-energy, irreverent, and honest—typical for both the Le Batard crew and Barkley, who brings both self-deprecation and blunt sports wisdom. Laughter punctuates sharp critiques, with Barkley never shying from calling out media absurdities, player ego, or even his own gambling losses. Despite some hard-edged commentary, warmth emerges in the closing minutes with genuine affection between Barkley and Dan.

In Summary

This episode is a whirlwind of sports insight, media lampooning, and trademark Charles Barkley humor—from the sanctity of hockey to the perils of betting, the realities of NBA fame, and the legacy of Miami sports. Barkley is open about his views, mistakes, and friendships, making this a memorable, wide-ranging, and deeply human hour.