Hour 1: Domonique's Don Nelson Observations

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: Hour 1: Domonique's Don Nelson Observations
Release Date: June 9, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz recorded at the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz delve deep into the current sports landscape, offering their unique perspectives on the NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Finals, and the recent NFL developments. The episode is highlighted by Dominque Foxworth’s insightful observations, particularly regarding Don Nelson, and a spirited discussion about the Pittsburgh Steelers' strategic moves in the NFL.

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NBA Finals Game 3 Overview

The episode kicks off with Dominque Foxworth and Dan LeBatard tuning into Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

• Dominique Foxworth: Introduces the context (01:10)
  *“Dan and the Kid Mero are watching Game 3 of the NBA Finals presented by Remy Martin.”_

• Stugotz announces the live stream:
  *“Catch the live stream starting at 8:00 Eastern on the Levitar Show YouTube channel.”_ (01:14)

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Stanley Cup Finals Analysis

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the ongoing Stanley Cup Finals between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers. The hosts and panelists dissect the teams' performances, player dynamics, and the overall intensity of the series.

• Greg Cody raises questions about the scheduling and live streaming of the hockey games, emphasizing the high caliber of play and the intense competition (01:21).

• Mike Ryan supplements with an update on linguistic nuances, clarifying the term "silencio sepulcral" (02:09).

• Discussion Highlights:

  • Team Performance:
    Greg Cody (02:17) discusses the Florida Panthers' impressive defensive strategies and their consistency, noting, “That kind of turnover differential, that kind of defense… that hasn’t happened in a two-game stretch since March of last year.”

  • Player Analysis:
    Mike Ryan highlights Connor McDavid's exceptional performance:
    “Don’t think it’s a hyperbolic take either because if you watch the TNT coverage, they’re all kind of astonished at what they’re watching.” (03:07)

  • Historical Comparisons:
    Stugotz draws parallels between the current hockey finals and legendary basketball matchups, enhancing the narrative (03:49).

  • Dominique Foxworth emphasizes the offensive prowess of both teams:
    “One of the things that makes it an intriguing series is that both teams are better… It's such an offensive series.” (14:21)

  • Notable Quotes:

    • Dan LeBatard: “This team is going to do that to you.” (03:07)
    • Dominique Foxworth: “They have depth like crazy. And it's such an offensive series.” (19:34)

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Don Nelson Observations

Dominique Foxworth brings a nostalgic and personal touch by sharing observations about Don Nelson, highlighting his recent appearance and transformation.

• Dominique Foxworth discusses Don Nelson’s appearance and vitality at 85 years old:
  “Don Nelson is 85. Is that correct? Is that accurate… Don Nelson looked like he trying to sneak into Wakanda.” (11:51)

• Panel Reaction:
  Stugotz and Mike Ryan express surprise and admiration for Nelson’s vibrant presence:
  “He looks good.” (11:38)
  “He looks like he trying to sneak into Wakanda.” (11:51)

• Humorous Banter:
  The panel engages in playful exchanges about Nelson’s appearance and likability, adding humor to the discussion (27:19 - 29:37).

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NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers Signing

A transition into NFL discussions sees the panel dissect the Pittsburgh Steelers' recent signing of Aaron Rodgers, exploring its implications and potential outcomes.

• Greg Cody kicks off the topic:
  “Greg Cody, I want to get your thoughts on the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Aaron Rodgers… How do we think that's going to go?” (30:36)

• Panel Insights:

  • Dominique Foxworth expresses skepticism about Rodgers' fit and performance:
    “I don't think it'll go particularly well… He only looks good if you compare him to Mason Rudolph.” (30:36)

  • Stugotz considers the strategic benefits:
    “I think Aaron Rodgers is absolutely a better option than Mason Rudolph because… special things. Can he do it? Mason Rudolph cannot.” (32:21)

  • Mike Ryan discusses Rodgers’ potential impact on the locker room and team dynamics:
    “Aaron Rodgers historically has been very good at taking care of the football… I would trust him to throw it more.” (35:05)

• Notable Quotes:

  • Greg Cody: “He will no longer be a game breaker. He's just going to be a game. It's don't make mistakes.” (42:14)
  • Dominique Foxworth: “I think it's a very volatile situation.” (40:33)

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Interactive Banter and Humor

Throughout the episode, the hosts and panelists engage in lively and humorous exchanges, enhancing the show's dynamic atmosphere.

• On Fashion Choices:
  Dominique Foxworth teases about supporters' shirts:
  “I want to address Tony and all men who would wear that shirt in public. Stugats don't do it.” (22:53)

• Creative Wordplay:
  The panel entertains with creative nicknames and wordplays, such as “Raggedy Dan” and references to Wakanda (09:02 - 10:22).

• Light-Hearted Comments:
  Dominique Foxworth: “That's brilliant on my part.” (08:15)
  Greg Cody: “He does not.” (08:29)

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Conclusion

The episode wraps up with continued discussions on current sports topics, maintaining the show's trademark blend of insightful analysis and entertaining banter. Listeners are left with thoughtful perspectives on the Stanley Cup Finals, an amusing look at Don Nelson’s enduring spirit, and an intriguing take on the Steelers' strategic decisions in the NFL.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Dominique Foxworth (11:51): “Don Nelson looked like he trying to sneak into Wakanda.”
• Greg Cody (03:07): “This team is going to do that to you.”
• Dominique Foxworth (19:34): “They have depth like crazy. And it's such an offensive series.”
• Greg Cody (30:36): “How do we think that's going to go?”
• Dominique Foxworth (40:33): “I think it's a very volatile situation.”
• Dominique Foxworth (08:15): “That's brilliant on my part.”

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This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz delivers a comprehensive and entertaining exploration of major sports events, enriched by the hosts' and panelists' vibrant discussions and memorable quotes. Whether you're a fan of hockey, basketball, or football, the insights shared provide valuable perspectives on today's sporting narratives.

Transcript

[Dan LeBatard]

What does Zyn give you? Not just smoke free nicotine satisfaction, but real freedom. Freedom to do what you love and choose your rewards. With Zinn Rewards, you can redeem points for premium tech outdoor gear and gift cards to your favorite retailers. Find your Zen and keep finding rewards that fit your [e-mail] rewards warning this product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical Summer is.

[Stugotz]

Coming right to your door with target circle 360. Get all the season go to's at home with same day delivery snacks for the pool party delivered sun lotion and towels for a beach day delivered pillows and lights to deck out the deck. That too delivered just when you want them summer your way quick and easy. Join now and get all the summer fun delivered right to your home with with target circle 360 membership required subject to terms and conditions applies to orders over $35. This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugats Podcast. Join us in the cheap seats this Wednesday night.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Dan and the Kid Mero are watching Game 3 of the NBA Finals presented by Remy Martin.

[Stugotz]

Catch the live stream starting at 8:00 Eastern on the Levitar Show YouTube channel.

[Greg Cody]

When is game four of the Stanley Cup Final? They're flip flopping Thursday. So it's Thursday. We will how many more hockey live streams are you doing off of these games, Roy, where we can get this broadcasting excellence amid the chaos. And we didn't talk enough about how great the Spanish sentence silence is everywhere is as a haunting description, like just great. Talking of Edmonton, silence is everywhere and everyone knowing what it means makes it just a wonderful description.

[Mike Ryan]

I actually have an update. Angel Resto, who is our excellent, you know, graphics and everything do it all guy in the midst of the chaos of what we're trying to translate, angel picked it up. He said silencio sepulcral. Sepulcral, which is like a tomb.

[Stugotz]

Like quiet.

[Mike Ryan]

So it's not even the silence is everywhere. It's like a graveyard tomb. Like silence. Good catch by Angel.

[Greg Cody]

Look, you just made Dominique whistle that out the way you'd imagine in a graveyard where Marshawn had just scored to scare Edmonton. Because that's how quickly it flips, right? And we know the thing that we haven't talked about because basketball is a bit of a foregone conclusion. Every team that's ever looked like OKC wins the championship throughout history, 68 wins. That kind of turnover differential, that kind of defense and being able to have a Guy Halliburton shooting 20%. He's got four assists when he's guarded by Dort. He's got eight turnovers. That hasn't happened in a two game stretch since March of last year. Like this team is going to do that to you. And it would be only if the randomness of threes in today's basketball does Indiana somehow get saved from what seems inevitable. But hockey is not the same thing. I don't know who should be favored in this series. I know the money's come in on.

[Mike Ryan]

They were both kind of favored, but.

[Greg Cody]

But the two, the first two games. This is the insanity of what I'm witnessing. Better than advertised, wildly beyond expectations. And we're two games in on what we know to be the two best teams slugging it out at the very top in a way that makes like everyone in hockey be like, oh shit, these are heavyweights throwing haymaker.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't think it's a hyperbolic take either because if you watch the TNT coverage, they're all kind of astonished at what they're watching. And Anson Carter the other day is like, this might be. We're heading down a path here where this might be the greatest Stanley cup final ever.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm trying to think of other sports where you've heard that in a championship where it's just, just. They're all just like, how about this?

[Mike Ryan]

Hell yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

This is awesome.

[Mike Ryan]

Hell yeah.

[Stugotz]

I mean, it reminds me a little bit of Cavs, warriors, where that was. It felt like it was building towards something also like Heat, Spurs. But in this it's. I think the story lines are perfect too because McDavid falls into this perfect category of like, he's by far clearly the best player who has to overcome.

[Dan LeBatard]

Where LeBron was with the Heat.

[Stugotz]

Right? It's the same sort of thing. And that's easy for that's what is great for casuals, people who call pucks balls. They still enjoy watching hockey in this moment because that situation is so easily, such an easily told story.

[Greg Cody]

It's a good correction you just made. There is one other time in basketball history where this isn't a foregone conclusion. It was when Draymond started kicking everyone in the junk. And that Golden State team that won 72 games lost while up 31 to LeBron James. But it's pretty predictable what's going to happen in basketball. Perhaps Indy. The last seven years have not been predictable in basketball. Last seven years, different champion all the time. You guys talking about SGA here and how it is that he, as the MVP of the league, seizes the League. He's got more points through two games, any player. First two games ever, Michael Jordan included. But it. And what? And yawn and yawn and efficient and kind of boring. But he's here arguing on behalf of I like mid range game and the rest of us, I want Anthony Edwards.

[Dominique Foxworth]

How is that boring? But you know what's boring? Somebody draining threes for the entire game.

[Greg Cody]

If you can make Jokic boring, I can make SGA boring.

[Dan LeBatard]

Okay, that's that noise Dominique just made.

[Stugotz]

It's because I want to support Greg.

[Mike Ryan]

But he knows it was a bad take.

[Dominique Foxworth]

I like something different. Okay.

[Stugotz]

No, I agree with you.

[Dominique Foxworth]

If everybody serving in a tennis match is serving 100 miles an hour, I want a drop shot every once in a while. I want a slice shot every once in a while. I. I want something different.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, they delivered on that in the men's final, no doubt.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Right.

[Stugotz]

I think that this is why today is shirt Tuesday. Because I think Greg's shirt is evidence to why he likes sga because that shirt is boring. But it's different from what Greg normally wears. And so he looks great at it. And I think the same is true. If we got SGA year after year, final after final, week after week, night after night, I think Greg would recognize it. All right, let me get a little something different.

[Greg Cody]

Dominique has brought me around on this. I am now also for today being Shirt Tuesday on the grounds that it can only be a shirt Tuesday when Greg Cody says correctly that he longs for the drop shot in tennis.

[Dominique Foxworth]

That's exactly right.

[Greg Cody]

He does not.

[Mike Ryan]

You should be thrilled because Alcaraz is a sicko with how he drops. No, it's insane what he does.

[Greg Cody]

It's unfair. It's wrong. Thank you, Roy. Excellent timing.

[Mike Ryan]

The faces that his opponents make go ahead. And what he just tries to do, the fact that he even thinks about.

[Greg Cody]

These things, what he is doing with. With a tennis ball is asinine.

[Dominique Foxworth]

And. And let's have more of it. Let's have more drop shots, more spin shots. That's a levitard. And I used to play tennis all the time. Usually I'd beat him because I'd frustrate him with my little spin shot.

[Greg Cody]

Look, he's been a coward this way for a long time. He loves the drop shot. Wait, make him go in and out. Make him go side to side. Wear him out.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Thank you very much. Thank you.

[Greg Cody]

Cowardice.

[Dominique Foxworth]

No, it's not. It's brilliant on my part.

[Dan LeBatard]

The art of tennis. Like that's what you're supposed to do.

[Dominique Foxworth]

I know, but. But no, I'm defending you. 130 mile an hour serves one after another. Boring.

[Greg Cody]

That's what I was giving him too. 130 miles an hour, one after another.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yeah, three year three. Your serves together weren't 130 miles an hour. But it's the same thing in baseball, right? Everybody pitches the ball 105 miles an hour now, you know what? Where's the knuckleball? Bring back the knuckleball. Bring back a little variety instead of everything. Yes. Bring back Phil and. And the other guy. What's the other guy's name? Phil. Huh? Charlie Huff, Was it? Joe.

[Greg Cody]

Joe.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Joe Negro. Yeah, the lesser negro.

[Greg Cody]

Who's a lesser Negro?

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yeah, Charlie Huff.

[Greg Cody]

Who's a lesser Joe.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Joe is less than Phil. You know, somebody's got to be. They're not even Phil. Negro. By the way, is he in the hall of Fame? I don't think so. Should be. No, he should put him in the hall of Fame.

[Greg Cody]

I don't want to have this knuckleballers convers conversation again. I don't want to have this conversation about the negroes again.

[Dominique Foxworth]

That's art. A knuckleball in a way that it is not.

[Greg Cody]

It is cowardice. It is cowardice.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Okay, bring back the mid range jumper. Bring back the spin shot. Bring back the knuckle ball. You know, let's hook shot too. Enjoy. What's different? A hook shot.

[Greg Cody]

I like pass. What about the chest pass?

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yeah, the chest pass. How about the underhanded free throw like Rick Barry? All that back. The underhanded free throw.

[Greg Cody]

The bank shot. What else?

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yes.

[Mike Ryan]

Pooch punt.

[Dominique Foxworth]

I like that.

[Greg Cody]

What else?

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yeah. Sam Jones, Boston Celtics, 1968. Give me that banker. Give me that bank.

[Mike Ryan]

Miles Turner gave you one.

[Greg Cody]

Anything else?

[Dominique Foxworth]

And another thing. Oh, no, the bunt. Okay, bring back the bunt. Give me a six foot hit.

[Mike Ryan]

Do you not watch college baseball? They got bunts for days in that.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Well, they're still using metal bats, aren't they?

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah. What does that have to do with your bun to tweak that.

[Dan LeBatard]

Were you just flexing your college baseball knowledge?

[Greg Cody]

That's all he was doing. And they're not metal, incidentally. They're aluminum.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Okay, whatever. An aluminum bat disqualifies the sport in my opinion. And I know you know the Canes baseball, they just came within one win of returning to the College World Series for the first time since 2016. Heartbreak for them. Good for them. Heartbreaking 3, 2 loss. But I will say that I don't Like a metal bat. Never have. And if you're bunt with a metal bat, you know, it dings. It makes that terrible sound. The metal bat. What is happening around should be a wood sound.

[Greg Cody]

What is happening? I welcome this. It's my fault. It's because he was longing. He was longing for the lob. The drop shot. The drop shot. Excuse me, not the lob. He liked the lob too. When he'd make me run up there with his drop shots and then.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Damn right. I'd run you all over the court. Run your ragged. That kind of thing. Raggedy Andy. Raggedy Danny. Raggedy Danny. Raggedy Dan would have been better because it sounds like Raggedy Ann. I'm workshopping here. I like that music. Ragtime.

[Greg Cody]

Raggedy Dan would have been the way to go.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yeah, I know. You know, I'm not perfect.

[Greg Cody]

Dominique has some Don Nelson observations. If you have not been following the career of Don Nelson. Don Nelson coached one of the. One of my favorite teams of all time. An eight that took out a one because just Stephen Jackson and Baron Davis were decided to shoot threes and buried poor Nowitzki and Steve Nash. Buried them both. Don Nelson at the time had a giant gin belly. Giant, enormous. Looked like a wrecking ball in his stomach from all the gin he was drinking, I assume. I don't know if it was Jen.

[Stugotz]

He got some sort of lifetime achievement award and he was at the game last night and they showed him and he's 85 years old and he looks cool as hell. I just was 85.

[Greg Cody]

Don Nelson is 85. Is that correct? Is that accurate, what Dominique is saying? Don Nelson. So I remember him with a giant belly. Then he goes to Hawaii, smokes a ton of weed, finds spirituality and enlightenment and gets a lot healthier. Where are the photos of Don Nelson from last night? You're saying he is now healthy because he went through a period from. He was very swollen and then he went to raggedy. He became Raggedy Don because he. He had a lot of. Oh, wow, that's.

[Dan LeBatard]

Look at him.

[Greg Cody]

Whoa.

[Stugotz]

He looks good.

[Dominique Foxworth]

I love it.

[Greg Cody]

Whoa.

[Stugotz]

Standing.

[Greg Cody]

That's. That's 85 years old.

[Dan LeBatard]

Look at that necklace.

[Mike Ryan]

That's Aloha living right there.

[Stugotz]

I love it. Don Nelson looked like he trying to sneak into Wakanda.

[Greg Cody]

Put it on the poll at LeBatard show. Does Don Nelson look like he's trying to sneak into Wakanda?

[Mike Ryan]

You let him in.

[Stugotz]

I wouldn't let him in.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay.

[Greg Cody]

It sounds like you were impressed.

[Mike Ryan]

You thought about it for a second.

[Stugotz]

I mean, it's not an immediate turn away.

[Mike Ryan]

They're going through the line and you're like, wait a second.

[Stugotz]

Just ask him his history. What you been up to? I just need to know what you've been up to. I do believe he looks like he.

[Dan LeBatard]

Could be related to me.

[Greg Cody]

Really Looks like John Skipper.

[Stugotz]

He's a colonizer.

[Mike Ryan]

Diene Pinta mentioned this on the show before, but he built a house made of hemp.

[Greg Cody]

What is going on with that sound Dominique made? I want to understand better take me back, Chris, how you saw this through your viewpoint, because you saw. We rarely get to see Dominique quite this vulnerable. Okay, I want you guys. He was trying to get in there and he was trying to talk, but he didn't want to interrupt Greg Cody because Greg Cody might have been on a roll.

[Stugotz]

That's what he was.

[Dan LeBatard]

He was like, my dad was doing him and Dom, I, like, wanted to support and then ejected on it.

[Stugotz]

Is that what it was? Yeah, it was. I tried to give him some support.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Thank you.

[Stugotz]

And then I just pulled back.

[Dominique Foxworth]

I appreciated the sound, though. I couldn't figure it out. It derailed me for a split second, but then I got back on track. How do you spell that?

[Stugotz]

You're trying to create new onomatopoeias.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Uh huh. Uh huh. What is that?

[Greg Cody]

Greg Cody is willing to concede now that the Panthers need home ice advantage. He is now duly and officially scared of McDavid, even though he pretends not to be. He fluffs off. Oh, look at what McDavid did. That's the most beautiful thing I did right around Barkov, our best defender. And now you're finally willing to give it. Now that Draisaitl is doing something in this series which he didn't in the last one.

[Mike Ryan]

He was very clearly hurt in the last series.

[Greg Cody]

You two games in are willing to acknowledge, oh, they're better. They're better than they were last year. This is a more formidable challenge for our greatest champion down here in South Florida hockey history.

[Dominique Foxworth]

One of the things that makes it an intriguing series is that both teams are better. The champions are better and Edmonton is better. They both have depth like crazy. And it's such an offensive series. I thought Paul Maurice, who's a great quote, very intelligent, thoughtful man, he said after the game, after Game 2, that the goaltending in this series is so great, but the offense is so great that you can. We just saw it with a 5, 4 game.

[Dan LeBatard]

He's praising everything.

[Dominique Foxworth]

He said you could have an 8, 7 game in this series. And you could still say the goaltending was good on both ends. And I know what he's talking about. The, the offense is beating good goaltending, and Skinner's been better than expected.

[Dan LeBatard]

But you say that they, like, they need home mice here. I felt the opp. I feel like in this series, with how good the Panthers are on the road, I think, like, I don't think home ice means a lot in hockey, regardless, but in this series, it feels like it means absolutely nothing.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Well, I, I, you know, they've been great on the road.

[Stugotz]

I got two questions for you, Greg. One is going to be a little scarier. I'll leave that for a few minutes from now so you can prepare emotionally for that. The first question is a little easier. What are you going to do? And I hate to say this in front of a lot of Panthers fans, But if Conor McDavid does win the Stanley cup, like, what is the column going to be? Or how are you going to respond? Because I feel like you owe him and his family and all of Canada something. If he does actually reach the mark that you said, that is holding back from being properly rated.

[Greg Cody]

He can't even fathom it. He can't even think of it. He's not even considered the column he has to write if he's wrong.

[Dominique Foxworth]

I have considered it, and I will be very thoughtful. I will give him all the credit in the world for finally catching up to his reputation.

[Stugotz]

Oh, so you're gonna go accumulate all the credit in the world? All the world's credit?

[Dominique Foxworth]

All the credit you'll collect all of.

[Greg Cody]

The credit, all of the credit in the world will be given to him, right?

[Dominique Foxworth]

That's right. I'm going to all the banks, I'm taking out loans. I'm getting all the credit.

[Greg Cody]

All the credit, you're gonna give it to him?

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yes.

[Greg Cody]

What's the second question?

[Stugotz]

The second question is a little more uncomfortable.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Okay, first of all, let me just say there's gonna be an asterisk to me giving him all the credit.

[Greg Cody]

Because if that's not all the credit, if there's an asset, okay, there is.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Most of the credit.

[Greg Cody]

It's not.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Wait, listen.

[Greg Cody]

You said all the credit.

[Dominique Foxworth]

You said all the credit in the world if Edmonton wins the Stanley Cup. But we look back on the final and we say, you know what? McDavid wasn't even their best player.

[Dan LeBatard]

He's going to. He's going to do the pro dry Seidel column. Dry saddle carried him seven goals in this series.

[Dominique Foxworth]

If it's true. I'm going to say it. I do nothing but spit the truth.

[Greg Cody]

Can we, instead of, instead of this particular silliness, can I just put in front of you and Dominique, I'm sure you will appreciate this as just a connoisseur of high end excellence for other hockey players and teams and executives. To be watching this series and being like, oh, this is as well as all of this can be done by anybody. This is, this is going to be random. Somebody's going to win. Somebody's going to allow five goals while being the great goaltender that night. Because we know what we're watching. It's better than everything else that was in the playoffs. It's super rare to have that kind of appreciation from the combatants when, when the way Florida buzzed through everything. I'm going to keep going through these particulars. Takes out Tampa as a blueprint. New York is a blueprint. Boston is a blueprint. Makes Toronto say our DNA is wrong. Comes from their gm. Carolina is saying Brinder Moore, oh, Paul Maurice got me out of the handshake line because he didn't want me to do it. I'm going to go back to that. But I'm still a loser. A loser. Technically a loser the way Canada and Carolina are. No, no individual is a loser. Just franchises. Florida going through that and everyone acknowledging this thing's just as good as Florida. We all know it. Somebody's got to win some. We'd be really disappointed if all the games don't look something like that. Like we're not looking for six ones here. And if you do find a six one, my guess is you think that McGregor. I'm sorry, that McDavid and dry seidel are the ones going to be doing it. You're not expecting Florida to win six. You're not expecting Flood. You're not expecting Bob to be able to shut out Edmonton.

[Dan LeBatard]

We lost one game last year in the final eight. One.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm expecting all the games in the series to feel like the. The first two, maybe not overtime, but 50, 50 toss ups. These could be any. Today is if you're going to see one game, maybe have a bigger spread. It might be tonight because I know Nugent Hopkins might be out for, for Edmonton. They're. They're mixing up their pairings and I don't necessarily agree with Nurse maybe taking a defensive pairing one alongside Bouchard. I think Bouchard has proven to be a little shaky defensively as you saw in the Marchand winner. So if there's ever a Chance for Florida to get into some kind of groove. It might be tonight, but I think this is generally what the odds makers tell you.

[Greg Cody]

Pick them series but not just pick them. Excellence at the height of excellence. Like that's the part that I'm saying. I don't know how people feel, right.

[Mike Ryan]

But the lines makers don't say that when they put out the lines. I'm sure they would though if they had the opportunity. Excellence on, on top of excellence. But yeah, it's, it's a total toss up. It's, it' it's going to feel even if it doesn't go seven, it'll kind of feel the way that I guess like Pacers, Knicks felt in that these are all up for grabs type of games.

[Stugotz]

I think there are different types of champions from different leagues at different times that reach different levels. And I believe that even my like rudimentary hockey knowledge is both of these teams are like champion level teams and it's not so clear. And you can have a team that wins a championship in an off year. They're still champions. It's fine, don't take any from them. But you don't appreciate them, you don't respect. You don't respect them and you don't remember them the way that you would some of these other all time greats. We're in a situation in this particular Stanley cup final that feels like both of these guys or both of these teams are so deserving of championship that it feels like whoever wins this, it's going to be a championship that matters more than normal. Stanley Cups matter, at least for me. It feels like I'm locked in a.

[Greg Cody]

What series in a way that what I'm saying is that this is not always the case. It's not just I know they play for a championship every year, but it's not every year. Are you okay? Is everything okay there?

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yeah, we're good.

[Mike Ryan]

It was weird. We got some feedback on the microphone when you were adjusting your headphone jack. We'll take a look at that after the show. Keep it moving.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Oh no. I was. I had pressed the cough button.

[Stugotz]

Let's keep it moving.

[Dan LeBatard]

What does Zyn give you? Not just smoke free nicotine satisfaction, but real freedom. Freedom to do what you love and choose your rewards. With Zinn Rewards, you can redeem points for premium tech outdoor gear and gift cards to your favorite retailers. Find your Zinn and keep finding rewards that fit your [e-mail] rewards. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Jeremy]

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[Mike Ryan]

Howdy folks, it's Mike Ryan. Now, if you've been listening to the show a lot lately, you've heard so much playoff talk. Playoff hoops. Down here in South Florida, we're especially enamored with playoff hockey. It's not just limited to the playoffs. Motorsports, tennis, golf. It's truly one of the best times in the sporting calendar. And with the weather outside warming up, it's just perfect to hop in a pool, maybe grill up some food, but most certainly crack open some Miller Lights. I just described a pretty perfect day, didn't I? And it culminates with Miller time. There is something about a perfect grilling day. The sun's out, friends show up, and that first sip of Miller Lite just hits different. I've been stocking up the cooler with it for years. This year, Miller Lite turns 50. That is five decades of cookouts, laughs and ice cold moments that never miss. And if you've listened to the show for its 20 year existence. You know this to be true. Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Cheers to 50 years of Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Greg Cody]

Don LeBatard.

[Dominique Foxworth]

I want to address Tony and all men who would wear that shirt in public. Stugats don't do it.

[Stugotz]

This is the Don lebatar show with the Stugats.

[Mike Ryan]

Feels a lot like sinner Alcaraz in that way. Who the hell is going to win here? These are both really good. If either of these, these two won, he'd be able to claim. This is probably the most impressive.

[Greg Cody]

Except that I'm going a next step on this because you're saying center Alcaraz for now and I'm saying that this is Federer, Nadal, this is Yokovic. This is the very top of how this sport can be played, as conceded by the odd hockey announcers who are saying, through two games. Can you believe this? Can you believe that it's exceeding my expectations when I already knew how closely matched they were. I'm, I'm saying that when you're watching something historic through two games, this is what it looks like when you know that you're in the middle of something that people are going to remember where you guys know how they talk about the series last year because it was like, how do they top the fact that one team was up three? Oh, and then it was three. Three. And then everyone got scared. And when Edmonton was coming back, the assumption was that Edmonton was now going to win the series. Now you're talking historically about the, the country and countries that celebrate hockey, not rooting for Florida. Here. They're rooting for the immortal to be crowned. Florida's in the way. The champion is very much in the way of what everyone who loves hockey is presently watching. It's not just that Florida is, you know, chippy and assholes and Marchand and wherever it is that you don't like them. This team is not being celebrated or rooted for by anyone outside of this market.

[Dominique Foxworth]

I disagree with that. I think that the Panthers, even as the reigning champion, has an underdog quality that Edmonton can't claim. Edmonton can't play that card. They were the betting favorite going in. They have the, the, the. The one guy in the league that everybody insists is the best player ever. McJesus. The next Gretzky. They're not the underdog. Florida's the underdog. Even going for a second championship.

[Greg Cody]

Third straight straight cup final, right?

[Dominique Foxworth]

Third straight, second straight.

[Mike Ryan]

I think there's validity to what Greg is saying. Despite the odds, having this being pick' em. If you look at analysts, people with presence on, with big platforms, it kind of felt like Florida could pull the car. Like, do they really think that we can't do this, we can't win back to back cups? Like they were being doubted in ways that they hadn't been since probably Vegas. And that that team is just better than you because.

[Dan LeBatard]

Because of how banged up they were at the end, I think is the reason for that. Their, their regular season was nothing to ride home about. So I get why people were doubting them, but I just think at this point people are not like frustrated that the Florida Panthers are in this anymore. People are like, that's a great team. Like, I don't think teams like people are looking like at us as an all time great team. I think the narrative of this Florida Panthers, like Florida, no one cares. I think a couple years ago it was like, what is this Florida market? I feel like now it's like this team is just, just deserves to be.

[Mike Ryan]

I think both could use help from the other opponent in framing what their legacy is. Because while back to back doesn't necessarily get you in dynastic conversation, the fact that they had one went to a Stanley cup final previously as an eight seed and they do it against this guy in the cup final, that frames the discussion. And it also frames a discussion for Connor McDavid in that you could look at this Florida team and say that's one of the best teams ever. And you shook off three zero, you battled back, you fell just short. Can you use that as fuel to take you over the top? I think both of these teams are helped by the other in terms of narrative.

[Greg Cody]

Couple of questions for Dominique. One, do you feel like Mike is going for the Don Nelson look with the chain outside of the shirt? And two, Chris Cody, when are you going to stop using the phrase something to write home about? Given that it's been a long time, maybe the 1800s since people wrote home in order to good information. We're beyond the writing of home, you know, like I'm like, what do you write home? Like, why are you writing a home? Like you're writing your dad a note. You're writing your dad a note and mailing it to him? Or why are you writing.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't even Know how to mail something?

[Dominique Foxworth]

What? He has not written a letter in his entire life.

[Dan LeBatard]

I would have to go to my dad. Like, give me a stamp. Do they still do these things?

[Greg Cody]

You don't know how to use a stamp. You have not.

[Dan LeBatard]

I know that my parents have stamps that if I ever need anything, I can go over there in their junk drawer, slap that thing on there. I don't care how much it weighs. And putting that sticker on it.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Sticker.

[Greg Cody]

How do you feel about Mike Ryan going for the Don Nelson look here, Dominique. Do you believe that he is also. He's not looking for Wakanda membership as well, is he?

[Stugotz]

No, no, no, no, no. I think that Don Nelson is trying to pull off the Mike Ryan. Mike pulls it off more natural, naturally, and maybe say, I haven't seen Don in a while. It looks perfect for him, but I think it's different looks, you know, maybe puka shells.

[Greg Cody]

What kind of shells are those? That. Those are Hawaiian shells that might be made of hemp.

[Mike Ryan]

Like his guest house is also made of hemp. But, Dan, you'd be right. I saw this picture of Don Nelson. I said, I got to be like that. Let me. I've never worn this look before prior to I saw a picture of Don Nelson. I'm like, that's going to be my fit now.

[Greg Cody]

A good choice by you.

[Mike Ryan]

Thank you.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Mild Mike.

[Greg Cody]

We didn't. Mild. That's what it is. It's not a. It's no longer a Cody Holy Shirt Tuesday. It is now a Mike, a mild. And on a mild mic Monday, one of the things that I wanted to bring.

[Mike Ryan]

It's not a thing. It's not a thing. Stop making it. The only reason it's a thing is I'm getting boxed out at every turn right now. Cockburn's got to get the shots up.

[Dominique Foxworth]

That kind of thing. Thought that was his name. I'd never met the guy I had.

[Greg Cody]

You thought his name was Cockburn.

[Dominique Foxworth]

I did. Pete Cockburn.

[Mike Ryan]

It sounds like a name that was very Bill Simmons. Do I get to speak now? Is it my turn?

[Dominique Foxworth]

My old mic.

[Greg Cody]

The house was made of hemp or is made.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah. We have a photo. It's something called. Please clear the graphic. It's something called Hemp Creep. They make hemp into this paste. And he built a 6,000 sq ft guest hobby made of hemp.

[Dominique Foxworth]

What a waste of hemp.

[Dan LeBatard]

How many things can you throw Creed at the end of it and just make a house with it? I could play. You want me to play the game? I can name some things.

[Mike Ryan]

Workshop that next time.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah. Before you do that, in fact, here, let's just.

[Mike Ryan]

Major penalty, five minutes.

[Dan LeBatard]

Grooming, comedy.

[Mike Ryan]

I think you'd be shocked at how many.

[Greg Cody]

Greg Cody, I. I want to get your thoughts on the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Aaron Rodgers. One year, $13 million. An interesting marriage. Adam Schefter is reporting that this was Pittsburgh's third choice, that they were trying to get Matthew Stafford, that they thought that it might be an experience in our future that involved the quarterbacking of Justin Fields. And now you are seeing Aaron Rodgers. They're sort of the. The quarterback discount bin is empty. The game of musical chairs makes it so that they couldn't go into next season with Mason Rudolph as their quarterback. You simply cannot do that. So they just end up on Aaron Rodgers. And how do we think that's going to go?

[Dominique Foxworth]

Well? I don't think it'll go particularly well. I think Aaron Rodgers has shown that he's pretty much spent in terms of the Aaron Rodgers of five years ago, the Aaron Rodgers from his prime. You know, the, the jets let him go for a reason. And, and Aaron Rodgers only looks good if you compare him to Mason Rudolph. You know, he kept the Steelers on hold for months. And this is what the Steelers get for not moving on from the possibility of Aaron Rodgers.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, the. I mean, I think the Steelers are in a situation now where they have to go with Aaron Rodgers. It puts them in a situation where Aaron Rodgers could hopefully turn back the clock for enough for them to make a run, but he also can put them in a position to draft the quarterback next year when the quarterback draft class is a little bit more attractive. I, I don't have a ton of faith in Aaron Rodgers, but a year removed from the Achilles injury, people do have a little bit more success once they have a little bit more time to recover, but it's not an injury that has a hit. A long history outside of Kevin Durant.

[Greg Cody]

Well, you've seen, you've seen the numbers on him turning the ball over more. So I asked this question sincerely, even though I know how the audience feels about what I'm about to say. If I tell anyone in the audience you're someone who cares about the Steelers, what would you prefer? Mason Rudolph is your quarterback next year or Aaron Rodgers is your quarterback? Everybody would say, I've seen what Mason Rudolph is and I've seen what Aaron Rodgers has been. I'd rather hope than go with Mason Rudolph. So I ask you, Dominique, in real terms, having looked at the analytics of what the decline has been and historically, how bad quarterbacks get after the age of 37. Is Aaron Rodgers actually a better option than Mason Rudolph, yes or no?

[Stugotz]

Yes, he's absolutely a better option than Mason Rudolph because I mean that you can find moments. I think what you want from a quarterback at this point is can they make the throws that not other quarterbacks can make? You can find moments in Aaron Rodgers season last year that are really ugly, but you can also put together a pretty impressive highlight tape. I think that the players on that team, the fans of that team and the coaches on that team, in their mind, their best version of this is we play great defense. We don't ask much of Aaron Rodgers, but every now and then we ask him to do one of those special things. Can he do it? Mason Rudolph cannot. So you don't even have that as an option or opportunity. So I think that's what players and fans and coaches would like about Aaron Rodgers.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Well, I have a question though. Would you prefer Aaron Rodgers to either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields?

[Stugotz]

I. I think so, given how last year ended. Because it, it's the, it's the unknown of it. I'm not saying that it's smart or rational or right. I'm saying if I were on that team, I would say, yeah, go ahead and let those guys run and we'll see what Aaron Rodgers can give us. I think the other more complicated and difficult thing to talk about when it comes to Aaron Rodgers is what his presence, presence means beyond his ability on the field. And that's. We want to focus so much on the things that we fully understand, like we can see how well or poorly he throws. We don't know. Despite the fact that we pretend like we know, we don't know exactly what the Aaron Rodgers presence in the lock remains. Leading up to his, his stint in with the jets, we were spinning it as positive. Like, he's there, he knows how to win. He's going to expect things from other people. They're reinvigorated because they see how high their ceiling is offensively. And then the following year we're like, man, everybody hates Aaron Rodgers, gets all the coaches fired. No one really likes to be like, I don't know what that particular ingredient is going to do to the chemistry of the Steelers locker room.

[Mike Ryan]

What held Pittsburgh back last year? Clearly quarterback play, but the inability to trust the quarterback. I actually like using Aaron Rodgers the way that they use Russell Wilson. And hopefully you can talk yourself into, well, we can trust him to throw more if we need it. That was kind of in the way of Pittsburgh when they played Baltimore was you kind of need Russell to throw. And when he was singing it, it wasn't. But I can understand why you stopped short of fully trusting him. Aaron Rodgers historically has been very good at taking care of the football. And if he's going to buy into Mike Tomlin's way of just keep us in this football game, we'll find a way to steal it and sneak into the playoffs. Even as a third team in that division, which is what most people likely have them, that's probably what the odds makers have them at. They can still get in the playoffs and I would trust him to steal one against a better team in the playoffs more than Russell Wilson, because I would trust him to throw it more. It feels like Aaron Rodgers has a really good first year with his locker room. And then that second year is when things kind of start tailing off.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Mike Ryan]

So you have him for a one year deal and then maybe he's the good Aaron Rodgers in the locker room for that one year deal, bridge quarterback and you get to get somebody else.

[Greg Cody]

Well, let me figure this part out though, because I don't know if Aaron Rodgers is capable of being humbled. I think anyone trying to predict how he'll behave in that locker room, that's a fool's errand to try and figure out what that looks like. But I'm more interested in this. So you got Mike Tomlinson nothing but winning seasons, but also in this particular quagmire, which is that fan base spoiled by Ben Roethlisberger, one of the best.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay, seven starters since he's retired, but.

[Greg Cody]

Spoiled by Ben Roethlisberger and also spoiled by this part. They got to watch the decline of Ben Roethlisberger when he was younger and his body was failing than Aaron Rodgers. And what that looked like was Mike Tomlin winning all the games. Nothing but slants, Ben. Nothing but slants. Every once in a while, please hit a third and nine down the field where you throw it for 30 yards because you can still make one of those old bend throws. They've gone through all the quarterbacks since then. They're like, bring us back the old Ben. Just slants, slant, slants. Third and six slants. Be super accurate. Be Drew Brees super accurate. And every once in a while, please, Aaron Rodgers on third and 11, can you hit somebody down the field for 30 yards? Make two of those plays. Make two of those plays. Half a season.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, but they had better talent around Ben in those Days like I understand they acquired dk, but there's. It's Robert woods after that who's been in the league forever. They have a new RB one and Jalen Warren who's been around the franchise for a long time. But it's the supporting cast of characters isn't what it used to be.

[Greg Cody]

What I'm asking Dominique is about the frustration that the Pittsburgh fan base would have about that offense in a phone booth. Constipation of were just trying to get seven yards on third and six.

[Stugotz]

It's a style of play that fans do not like unless the results are there. And while we marvel at Mike Tomlin's non losing record, Steelers fans are done with it. And it's been a short. Like it's a. It's a. It's all about expectations and what you're accustomed to. They've been accustomed to a level of success where they are sick of this mediocrity. Like they. You said seven quarterbacks but it's only been like three years since Ben Rosberger was their quarterback. He wasn't a good quarterback then, but like you had to stay with them. It's funny to listen to or not funny, but it's interesting to listen to a fan base who's been so stable and had so much success get frustrated with that stability and success. When you look around at the rest of the league, it's like you had three years of not having a quarterback. Most everyone else looking at 10, 15.

[Greg Cody]

But do you guys hear what he's saying there? Because I believe that these two things are actually so. And it's a crazy thing thing to say. Mike Tomlin has not had a losing season since he's been coach for a franchise that has had three coaches ever. And also Pittsburgh fans think the last 10 years of it are mediocre. The word is mediocre. They keep making the playoffs. They always win more than they lose. But they're extinguished so quickly that Pittsburgh fans would absolutely have the assessment that Mike Tomlin the last decade has been mediocre. How can those two things be true?

[Dominique Foxworth]

Well, I think it doesn't help that if you're a Steelers fan, you see other downtrodden franchises like Detroit, like Washington get pretty damn good pretty fast and your team is still stuck in something just above mediocrity.

[Stugotz]

I gotta cut you off there. Yeah, they didn't get good fast. Like I guess they got good out of nowhere. But those two organizations were bad.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yeah. Well that's what I mean though.

[Greg Cody]

Long stretches.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yeah, that's what I mean though. Like two years ago, they're both among the dregs of the league now all of a sudden, especially Detroit. I mean, you're looking at Detroit as a Super bowl contender.

[Stugotz]

It's hard to look at the whole like the big picture. But if you asked a fan base, would you rather have had the. The run of the Steelers or that of what the. Let's go. The commanders have like, obviously they all choose the Steelers because the Steelers, even during their down period, they've been mediocre. Like Washington was terrible. I live in D.C. they. The team was in an embarrassment for a long stretch.

[Greg Cody]

30 years. 30 years.

[Stugotz]

The same thing for the Lions, which is why I get why the Steelers fans are upset. But I also get why people would look at them and say shut up. You don't know. Suffering.

[Mike Ryan]

Really interested in this pairing though, because I know it's a fairly recent thing that Aaron Rodgers is reputed to be a coach killer, but for most of his career, no, he actually worked against his best interest and he kept mediocre people around in his life for too long. It certainly cost him at least one super bowl with the decision making that happened in the NFC championship game against Seattle. He's always surrounding himself with Nathaniel Hacketts of the world. I'm happy that he gets to go to a franchise where there is an established leader in that locker room and it's not going to be Aaron Rodgers cast of merry men that you just drag in here. We have a Pittsburgh Steeler way of doing it and I'm the first coach with an actual personality and spine that you're going to listen to.

[Dominique Foxworth]

What's interesting to me about Aaron Rodgers signing with Pittsburgh is that Dominique is right when he says Steelers fans are growing really impatient. And it's also true to say that Aaron Rodgers not a real likable character at this point. Not real likable. And I think there's the potential for a real combustible relationship. If Aaron Rodgers starts poorly or the Steelers are 0 and 2, I think you're going to hear booing. I think the mindset is going to be why did we sign this old guy? So I think it's a very volatile situation. That's going to be really.

[Greg Cody]

Can we explore though, the question that I'm asking you guys, how do both of these things exist? The most stable franchise in the sport, three coaches in their history has a coach who has not had a losing season in his entire time coaching. His fans are tired of the mediocrity. What are we talking about? Are we, Are you guys telling me that if you're the 10th best team in the league, that's mediocre? That's what you're telling me? Because Tomlin's been that for a decade and a half. It's not. Lions get here for a minute and people are already closing their window and Ben Johnson's over here saying, I don't need a tush push, I don't need short yardage plays. We're all about 40 yard plays. Pittsburgh is going into a season trying to beat you with seven yard slants and defense. And we'll try and go on the road and see if we can beat Burrow.

[Dominique Foxworth]

I mean, Pittsburgh fans are used to winning Super Bowls and it's been a minute since they have, you know, Dolphin fans down here still look at 1972 and 1973, ancient history. If you've won Super Bowls, if you're used to winning a Super bowl, it's not good enough to be 10 and.

[Greg Cody]

6, but that's not mediocre. 10 and 6 can't. 10 and 7 can't be mediocre.

[Dominique Foxworth]

It's not good enough.

[Mike Ryan]

But for the first time in his career, I feel like he's going to place where the expectations are perfectly calibrated for him and with what the team actually does compared to the perception of him, people still think Aaron Rodgers is this chuck it down the field guy. Even when he was in his prime winning MVPs, he was very careful with the football. So I think it actually plays well to his skill set.

[Greg Cody]

This is all game management. He will no longer be a game breaker. He's just going to be a game. It's don't make mistakes. He's not even make plays. It's don't make mistakes leaks.

[Stugotz]

And I think that that to Mike's point, that is should be encouraging to Steelers fans because it is a good fit. But to the question that I think you feel like we're not answering, it seems pretty simple. It's about expectations and it's about what you become accustomed to. Like I could give a ton of different examples or analogies but like if you go back a hundred years, the idea of having air conditioning would be like odd to you. You now if I took your AC.

[Greg Cody]

For one day, Dan, oh my God.

[Stugotz]

You would be infuriated.

[Greg Cody]

Oh my God.

[Stugotz]

The Steelers fan base have been living in A.C. and, and now they just turned. It's not. They haven't even taken it away. They just turned it up to 70, 72 and they're like, it's hot as in here.

[Dan LeBatard]

They haven't changed the filter.

[Dominique Foxworth]

That's what they go.

[Stugotz]

And they're like, somebody do something about this. While other organizations are looking at them like, I've been in this sweat. It's 94 degrees in here. I can't sleep. This is unbearable. And they're looking at the Steele like, it's only 70 over there. Wait till you feel this. Like, I get how that feels.