Hour 1: So Long, Tua (feat. Undisputed Champion Alycia Baumgardner)

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Hour 1: So Long, Tua (feat. Undisputed Champion Alycia Baumgardner)
Date: December 17, 2025

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Episode Overview

Broadcasting from Miami’s Elser Hotel, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the crew dive into the seismic quarterback shakeup in Miami, debate the fate of Tua Tagovailoa, and explore what the move to Quinn Ewers really means for the Dolphins. Later, they’re joined by undisputed super featherweight boxing champion Alycia "The Bomb" Baumgardner, who shares her journey, the mentality of a fighter, and her historic co-headlining bout on Netflix. Along the way, the group detours into the NBA’s in-season tournament, the growing pains of broadcasting careers, and the peculiar culture of sports media.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miami Dolphins Quarterback Bombshell

Begins at [03:12]

• Breaking News: The Dolphins have benched Tua Tagovailoa and will start rookie Quinn Ewers, per Adam Schefter ([03:12]).

• Immediate Reactions:

  • Dan, Stugotz, and crew treat this as the potential end of Tua’s era in Miami.
  • Debate over whether this is about protecting Tua from injury, an audition for Ewers, or Mike McDaniel preserving his coaching job.
  • Concern over Tua’s concussion history and large contract ([07:05]).

• Notable Quotes:

  • “You bench Tua. It’s been the league six years. The number five overall pick. He’s making $55 million a year. You bet it’s over.” – [E], [04:00]
  • “Mike McDaniel comes out a winner either way… he’s telling you, I can’t coach a winning team with this guy as my quarterback anymore.” – [E], [06:10]
  • “If Quinn Ewers shows any competence, it’s over. Any competence.” – [E], [04:00]

• Long-Term Outlook:

  • Tua is under contract, but panel is skeptical about his future.
  • Debated whether teams ever reverse such public demotions absent injury.
  • Stugotz and Dan point out that Miami lacks better QB options if Tua departs ([08:32]).

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2. NBA In-Season Tournament & Broadcasting Chemistry

Begins at [31:35]

• NBA Cup/Juxtaposing ‘Realness’:

  • Amin Elhassan and crew defend the NBA’s fledgling cup from cynicism.
  • Comparison to how Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) was initially received, drawing a line from ridicule to tradition ([32:45]).
  • “If you institute something and just have some amount of consistency, people will eventually care.” – [C], [33:06]

• Player Engagement:

  • Raised concerns about compressed schedules and soft-tissue injuries.
  • Panel dissects how journalism and post-game press questioning could have pushed Adam Silver on bigger issues ([36:29]).

• NBA Media Coverage:

  • Discussion of the importance of a good broadcast partner, referencing Dwyane Wade’s improvement alongside Stan Van Gundy ([39:22]).
  • “With all these guys, if you have the right facilitator, someone who knows how to bring that stuff out, then they turn into a different person.” – [C], [39:43]
  • The challenges champions face transitioning from playing to media.

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3. Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner Interview

Begins at [12:59]

Background and Family

• Baumgardner shares her upbringing in Ohio in a household of 15, where fighting was part of daily life ([14:41]).

• She started with wrestling before moving to boxing at age 8, encouraged by her father.

• Quote:

  • “We had that hustle mentality just to go get it because it wasn’t going to be given to us.” – Baumgardner, [15:15]

Mentality of a Fighter

• On choosing boxing:

  • “You have to be a little crazy, yes.” ([15:08])
  • She emphasizes loving the “grind” and challenge—“the fight is the fun part” ([15:48]).

• Nicknames in Boxing:

  • “The Bomb” was self-selected and reflects her attitude and power ([13:44]).

Preparation, Confidence, Fear

• Describes elaborate visualizations before fights to steel her mind ([16:30]).

• Quote:

  • “Once it’s gone, it’s gone. So I live in the moment. I take a hold, and I thrive through it.” – Baumgardner, [18:01]

• Discusses overcoming doubts daily and choosing to give 100% ([20:10]).

• On faith and resilience:

  • “May fall 10 times, but I’m gonna get up 12.” ([19:24])
  • Credits faith as central for perseverance.

Equality, Women’s Boxing, and Legacy

• Vacated her WBC belt for a championship bout under men’s rules to forward equality in the sport ([18:14]).
• Views fighting on the co-main at a major Netflix event as a surreal step—but only the beginning ([21:24]).
• “There’s no ceiling for me… there’s no box that I could be put in.” ([20:53])

Balancing Personal Life and Sport

• Loves the outdoors, fishing, and beach time; maintains a clear distinction between “Alycia the woman” and “AB the fighter” ([21:53], [22:51]).
• Importance of reaffirming identity outside the ring.

On Feeling Remorse After Fights

• She admits she rarely feels bad about dominating opponents during a bout:
  • “Eat that. To the face.” ([23:45])
  • But she does feel a glimmer of empathy afterward ([23:52]).

On Jake Paul and Boxing’s Evolution

• She gives Jake Paul credit for his commitment and seriousness about boxing ([26:25]).
• Notes “any fighter has a puncher’s chance” and upsets do happen ([26:08]).

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• [03:12] – “Is that the official announcement of the end before it’s the end?” – Dan, as Dolphins bench Tua
• [04:00] – “You bench Tua… you bet it’s over.”
• [13:44] – “To have a name like The Bomb, you have to punch really hard, right?” – E
  “You do. You have to punch hard and make a statement.” – Baumgardner
• [15:08] – “You have to be a little crazy, yes.” – Baumgardner on boxing as a life path
• [19:24] – “May fall 10 times, but I’m gonna get up 12.” – Baumgardner, on faith and resilience
• [20:53] – “There’s no ceiling for me… there’s no box that I could be put in.” – Baumgardner, on legacy and ambition
• [23:45] – “Eat that. To the face.” – Baumgardner, on delivering blows
• [26:25] – “Jake is… very serious about it because you have to be. This is a combat sport. It could be your night, and you can get very hurt.” – Baumgardner

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Important Timestamps

• [03:12]: Breaking NFL / Dolphins bench Tua
• [12:59]: Interview with Alycia Baumgardner begins
• [14:41]: Baumgardner’s family and origins in boxing
• [18:14]: On vacating her title for equality, men’s championship rules
• [19:24]: Importance of faith and personal resilience
• [23:45]: Baumgardner’s attitude about finishing fights
• [26:08]: Jake Paul’s chances and approach to boxing
• [31:35]: NBA In-Season Tournament, DPOY analogy, broadcast dynamics

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Tone & Style

The panel toggles between irreverent, deeply analytical, and playful—never staying somber for long but always insightful, especially when unraveling the emotional side of sport, the business-of-sports mentality, and the stories behind performance. Baumgardner carries herself with bravado, faith, and gratitude, her blend of toughness and warmth matching the freewheeling yet respectful Le Batard style.

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Conclusion

This episode blends breaking NFL news with a thought-provoking conversation on athlete mentality, women's sports progression, and the evolving spectacle of sport and media. Alycia Baumgardner's presence stands out not just for her fighting prowess but for her charismatic, reflective commentary on what it means to be a champion—in and out of the ring. The Tua/Ewers debate frames the ongoing uncertainty and drama of NFL team-building, while the NBA and broadcast discussions underscore the evolving nature of sports culture and narrative.

Transcript

[A]

This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugats podcast.

[B]

Welcome to another episode of Insights to Mediocrity. I'm Jeremy Tache here with our expert.

[A]

Our superstar, Tony Kad.

[B]

Good to be here, Jeremy.

[C]

How does 10 Day Tony know when.

[D]

He'S in the zone?

[B]

It's something that I can't explain. It's something that I can't teach. It's something that I like to test when I'm in the zone by taking further and further shots, right? So, like, if I hit a corner, three, okay, I'm supposed to do that. But if I'm on a transition on a three, three on two, and I've got two guys, you know, jutting in from the sides and I'm running point up top, I may pull up from maybe a little close to half court just to see where we're at. If I hit that, the next step, I shoot lefty. I guarantee people that watch this, that will watch this at some point that have played basketball with me in these leagues know that I can pull up lefty from anywhere and still stroke. It's crazy. I'm not. This is not. I'm not joking. This is not a lie. Like, I know I'm in the zone. Either we're down by a lot and I can shoot lefty, or we're up by a lot and I can shoot lefty.

[D]

But.

[B]

But I shoot lefty and I make a good percentage of my shots. I've made three in a row from three lefty. I mean, if you can make three in a row from three leftY, might as well find your way to the league 10 Daytona again, that's what I think we're here for, right? Like, what are your views on today's.

[A]

Defensive schemes in the NBA?

[B]

You know what the best defense is?

[A]

What's that?

[B]

Great offense. I score, you try to stop me. You can't. I win. That's. That's my defensive situation.

[A]

That's pretty simple math.

[B]

Have I been criticized for maybe not going after a loose ball or two? Sure, that's fair. Have I been criticized for maybe not stepping in and help defense when there's a guy that could possibly dunk?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

How does that make you any different than James Harden? All I'm saying is, yeah, he's going to get the dunk, okay? I'm not going to be there when he does it, but when he does get it, I. I'm going to get that ball out of the hoop. We're pushing, we're playing fast pace. I'm going to get out to the shooters. I'm going to be a shooter. We're going to get three to your two. So defense. Yeah. Is it a part of the game? Sure. Okay. You got me. It is. But my defense is a great offense.

[D]

I said shorter. These need to be shorter. The two of them. You put them in a room, they think everything longer is better.

[A]

Yeah. It's not a situation which they got. They. They didn't get the note. I know they received the note. They just looked at the note and decided, well, go to hell.

[C]

How is Insights to Mediocrity longer than insights to excellence?

[A]

That's right.

[C]

Like Michael Jordan was faster.

[A]

Got the funny device. Have him say something stupid. Go to end credits.

[D]

Just one joke.

[A]

30 seconds.

[D]

One joke. Get out. Just one. Two sentences. Don't. Tony believes his own bullshit.

[A]

Yes. Don't actually make it mediocre.

[D]

You guys were yelling at each other.

[A]

Dan. We have breaking news from the NFL courtesy of Adam Schefter. A major move in Miami. The Dolphins are benching quarterback Tua Tungavailoa and turning to Quinn Ewers as their new starting quarterback.

[E]

Nice.

[D]

So what does that mean? Is that the end?

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

Is that. Is that the official announcement of the end before it's the end? Because they've still got him under contract next year and they're not playing for anything. You don't have to see anything from him. You don't want him to get hurt. You sure? Shit. Don't need him concussed that. This doesn't mean he's not playing next year for them. Correct.

[E]

It just think it leans in that direction. There's no coming back. There's no coming back from this.

[C]

No.

[F]

You can start him next year. You're out. You're done for the playoffs. You see what you have with Quinn years. I'm not saying I think it could go either way, but he could start next season for that.

[E]

If Gwen yours shows any competence. It's over. It's over. Any competence. You can't come back from this. You bench Tua. It's been the league six years. The number five overall pick. He's making $55 million a year. You bet it's over.

[A]

You have to keep in mind Mike McDaniel is coaching for his job. He just not. He's not talking to a GM in house who's forcing him to evaluate Quinn Ewers. Part of this decision is Mike McDaniel wants to save his job and he's looking at that locker room. Maybe he's had some big macro conversation with Steven Ross.

[E]

That's right.

[A]

We're bringing you back and let's see what we have in the kid. But on the surface, it feels like Mike McDaniel just made the choice that Quinn, yours gives his team a better chance to win.

[E]

I, I think this is Mike McDaniel saying, I have job security.

[D]

That's so do I, so do I. I, I think Mike McDaniels knows whether he's coming back or not. Now that can change that somebody can become available. But I think he knows whether. I think once they made the decision over Greer, they're like, okay, are you going to be the quarterback whisperer? Can you do that with anybody? You did it with TUA and everyone you got to a paid. Can you do it with anybody? Because I don't believe what we saw from yours in the preseason would tell us anything. I don't, I don't, I don't think. I mean, he was good enough to stave off Arch Manning at Texas, and then he played in the preseason and didn't show you much of anything. But if, if you believe you guys were arguing that Kevin o' Connell was a quarterback whisperer, we know that Kyle Shanahan is the one guy in the league. The, I mean, I guess maybe McVay, I don't know. But in terms of this person can make a quarterback out of somebody. Kyle Shanahan has proven that Mike McDaniel has three games. Mike's got this right. Mike McDaniel, I don't think he's got right about the job security stuff, but I think Mike McDaniel absolutely wants to show the fan base and everybody something these last three games. So next season doesn't feel as hopeless as it did a game ago.

[A]

It could be both. I've heard that Mike McDaniel, because of that run, did kind of solidify that he's coming back next year. Now I, maybe things fall off the rails and that is all subject to change. But I also think he saw the film of TUA and every time that guy drops back, he's not giving me a shot.

[E]

I think Mike McDaniel comes out a winner either way in this situation because he's telling you, I can't coach a winning team with this guy as my quarterback anymore. And also if Quinn Ewers comes out and shows any type of competence, he's also telling you, you, yeah, the thing I did with tua, I can coach quarterbacks.

[D]

It would be a greater value that you would have from, if you give Me one thing that a coach can do, I want that. Okay. And so I thought he could do that. When they had the number one passing offense in the league, they've been able to run the football with whoever it is has been playing quarterback mostly. Mostly, I'll say, because they were better with two of them. They were with anyone else. I just don't know if this is over. I don't. If you had to bet right now, Zaz has been reactionary with this team all year. He spits poison. He's emotional about all of these things. Hasn't been wrong necessarily either. If you had to bet money, is Tua their starting quarterback, yes or no, next year?

[G]

Yes.

[H]

If you're Mike McDaniel, the quintessential players coach and you have that much money committed to Tua and you know that he is one concussion away from being done and the season is done for sure. Why would you have him out there and risk somebody that now you have all this dead money and at least now there's a hope that TUA can figure things out in the off season.

[D]

This feels like news, but it's just a team has been eliminated from the playoffs and has to play the other guys.

[A]

I'm sure you can.

[D]

Games don't mean anything.

[A]

I'm sure you can find a recent example. But whether it be a vet like Kirk Cousins or a younger guy like Daniel Jones, when a team makes this decision, unless there's an injury, they don't go back.

[F]

Yeah.

[E]

That's why I think it's news. I think this is the end. I don't think there's turning. I don't think you can go back to Tua now. This is the end.

[D]

You don't think that they would explain in the locker room, we're going to give a bunch of other people chances the next three games because we can't get him concussed again.

[A]

What's the example of the quarterback coming back from that?

[D]

But what's the example that's a quarterback. That's a concussion away publicly to everyone from retirement. Like there's only one quarterback in the history of the league where you're afraid if you play him the last three games now, the money's dead. Dead.

[A]

I think you and I are speaking the same language.

[B]

I don't.

[A]

I think it's done here in Miami.

[E]

But you're saying. So you're saying, though, because the concussion, like you're saving him from these final three games and possibly getting Gus again because you want to make sure he's healthy and ready to go for next year.

[A]

He's just got maybe protecting value. There's no value there.

[D]

Wait a minute guys.

[A]

A black hole of a guy.

[D]

They don't. They're not going to have a quarterback next year. That makes them compete with Josh Allen and the Patriots. That quarterback does not exist as available to them. It too is the best of what they'll do a quarterback if they're keeping the coach stable. The the best quarterback they're going to do is tool whether you like it or not.

[A]

Yeah, it's not a great quarterback draft class, but I'm sure you can talk.

[B]

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[A]

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[F]

Don LeBatard our Panther Group chat We're confident against the lighting. This is a different team. You're a Panther Group chat no, no.

[D]

I think no.

[F]

But dude, you're so wrong on that. We've been terrified of this team forever, and I think there's a different energy where the Panthers, they want the Lightning St.

[D]

I want T shirts made for this Panther run What could be this Panther run our Panther group chat. We're not afraid of the lightning.

[A]

That's a Tagline for World Raw 3.

[E]

This is the D Levatar show with the ST gods.

[D]

We have to wrap. Okay, you mentioned that because we've got the Bomb in the other room and we've made her wait way too long. She has won all of the super featherweight titles. She's the co headliner on this Anthony Joshua, Jake Paul fight. That's a co headliner situation. Last time she fought, she fought against. She fought in front of 6 million people on Netflix. Netflix is doing a monster thing. Jake Paul is doing a monster thing across the street. And we have been disrespectful by making this woman wait and endure our TUA talk. I'm very sorry about that. Alicia the Bomb. I really got Mike excited when I told them her nickname. They did not know that she was the Bomb.

[E]

Was it a tough nickname to come up with?

[G]

Not really. I think it actually fit since Baumgartner is just so bold within itself. The Bomb just made sense.

[E]

But to have a name like the Bot, you have to punch really hard, right?

[G]

You do. You have to punch hard and make a statement.

[E]

Like, I wouldn't be able to be called the Bomb.

[A]

How do nicknames work? Does someone give it to you in boxing or can you, like, throw up some nominees of your own?

[G]

You know, it's really up to you. You know, some people may give you some ideas, but I think ultimately when you're the one stepping into the ring, you want to come up with your own ring name. And the Bomb just fit.

[D]

I. I gotta be honest here. I'm distracted. Boxing has never smelled this good.

[C]

What? No.

[D]

I mean, no. I've been around boxers, I've been around boxers. I love covering boxing. Look, boxing is my favorite sport to write about because people who do this as a way of earning money, I admire them and I wonder what happened to them that made them choose this as a life path. You come from a family of fighters, right? Everybody in the family is a fighter.

[G]

That's right. Yes. Family are all fighters. And the hometown that I grew up in, Ohio, Fremont, we had a small boxing gym. And my dad's like, hey, do you want to box? And I had wrestled first before I started boxing, and you have to be eight years old to start. And I'm like, yeah, I'll box. Not even knowing what I'm getting myself into. But I did have the mentality, the work ethic to say, yes, let's do It.

[D]

You have to be a little crazy, though, to choose it as a living. Right. I'm going to earn money this way. As a career, you do got to.

[G]

Be a little crazy. Yes.

[D]

And so what was happening in that household that made everybody a fighter?

[G]

You know, I come from a big family. You know, I was once in a household of 15 people. So, you know, we're all trying to scram and, you know, get into the bathroom and things like that. But as a unit, we were. We were just go getters. We had that hustle mentality just to go get it because it wasn't going to be given to us.

[D]

Were there a lot of fights in the house?

[G]

You know, I was always fighting with my brother. You know, I have four sisters, but it was always me and my brother always fighting.

[D]

You haven't had any remorse about your career choice, Right, because it's. I would imagine it's been a grind. No. No boxer has an easy story.

[G]

No. I have no second chances on what I chose to do. And I love it. I love the grit, I love the challenge, the competitiveness that I have, and I love to showcase that the fight is the fun part.

[A]

Canelo smells very good.

[D]

Yeah. Conference. No, I'll agree with you. I sat next to him and he's not this good. Not this.

[G]

This is mind games.

[C]

Not this.

[D]

This is not what boxing has ever smelled like in my life.

[A]

Oh, you smelled amazing in Tahoe.

[E]

You're obviously very confident. You have to be. I'd imagine every fighter is very confident, but right before the fight, like, what are you. What are you thinking to yourself you're walking down to. Cause, you know, it's like, okay, like, I think I'm gonna win. I've trained really hard, but you can't get hurt.

[G]

Yeah. You know, it goes through my mind, but ultimately, I take my time. I envision everything. The walkout, when I'm stepping into the ring once the bell rings and it's go time, you know, and you have to. You have to have that confidence. And I'm talking. It's overfilling at this point. I can even feel my adrenaline pumping up right now, just talking about it, because I've waited so long. And again, the fight is where the fun happens.

[D]

Cause you're ready, right? Because you feel. Because can you take us through how it is that you arrive at ready? Because this was postponed for a month. I don't know how that changes your training regimen.

[G]

Yeah. You know, I was in camp already for eight weeks, you know, and then the fight Got canceled. It got moved. I did a total of camp for, like, almost 11 weeks. So the mentality is, hey, you know, this gets repetitive, and you understand what's ahead of you, so stay consistent. Still show up to the gym, still put in the work, because, again, these are the. These are the times that's going to really showcase who you are as a fighter, as an athlete, as a woman. When things come at you, how are you gonna pivot? Everything is about pivoting and boxing, and it's about having balance and making sure that when the time has come, you are ready, you are prepared.

[D]

Six million people, though, you're walking to the ring and it's the same mindset. You don't even have to steal your mind. It's no, I'm ready for this. I've been working for this my entire life.

[G]

I'm ready at that moment. I'm taking in all the energy and what is given at that given moment, because once it's gone, it's gone.

[D]

So.

[G]

So I live in the moment. I take a hold, and I thrive through it.

[C]

A lot of people talk about standing on business, but you vacated your WBC belt in order for this fight to be fought under men's championship rules. Why was that so important for you?

[G]

You know, it was important because it was offered as a challenge. And one thing about me, I love to take a challenge. And when we think about equality, women and men are greatness. That's a standard, right? And so when given the same pathway for a woman to be on the same Runway as a Jake Paul, you're able to see as a whole, and we always take advantage of it. And that's why I am fighting on the co main to show the world why boxing is what it is.

[A]

You're very proudly carrying the banner for women's boxing, but you have a wrestling base. Have you had to turn away overtures from mixed martial arts companies to see if you want to try your hand at that?

[G]

You know, they have asked. I never turn down an offer. Like I said, I love to fight. I love to be a competitor. And it's. I just love it, y'. All. I'm. I'm a born athlete. So it's just one of those things that's in me, not on me.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

This.

[E]

This world got crazy. It's a bunch of stuff going on everywhere. How is important. How important is it for a woman of faith like yourself and myself? You feel me to keep the Lord God first in all of those situations, like you say, vacating the belt how important is keeping him, you know what I mean, involved in those decisions?

[G]

Yeah, it's important to be faith driven. You know, maybe sometimes we don't have nothing, but you have faith as a mustard seed. I will plant that and I will water that and I will believe in it because I believe in myself. I believe in what the Lord has already told me. And you have to understand that life is hard, but life is also what you give it. And there is no give up in me, baby. I may fall 10 times, but I'm gonna get up 12.

[D]

There's so much bravado in this sport. You have to, I suppose, have it, but how do you do with fear? Because it doesn't sound like you're articulating any of that. And courage isn't the absence of fe, just the ability to overcome it. So I've heard. I. One of the reasons I love covering boxing is because oftentimes boxers will just talk about their vulnerabilities. Because once you're in the ring and it's just you and your talents, you either believe in yourself or you don't.

[G]

Yeah, it's either you believe in yourself or you don't. And to be honest, you know, I'm faced with doubt every day. You know, there's doubt in their success right next to each other. Which, what are we going to choose today? How, how are we going to show up today? Are we going to give 50%? We're going to give 100. We're going to give 100. Because anybody would want the platform that you have. Take advantage of the moment, take advantage of the opportunities. And I just know when I look back, I, I can't say I could have did that. I should have did that. I did it and I loved it.

[D]

Your dreams didn't look like this though, right? Like whatever the top of the mountain was, it wasn't fighting on a co headline Netflix event where there are going to be. I mean, if you did 6 million last time, I can't even imagine what the projections are for this one. Right.

[G]

You know, I always dream high and I know that there's no ceiling for me. There's no box that I could be put in. So it's just, it's surreal when you think about it.

[D]

But you can dream high and not have the, what did the dream look like whenever it is not. Not at 4 or at 6 or 8, but as you got closer to building something, you're still struggling, you're still doubting. You know, there's not any money in this at the beginning.

[G]

Right.

[D]

And so you. Your wildest dreams looked like what it looked like. I'm going to co headline a main event on Netflix.

[G]

Listen. And yes, that's true, but that's just the stepping, the stepping point of what's more to come. There's so much more to come, but you have to take the steps through it. And so even though I may not have seen this, I knew that was. It was coming. But as long as I'm putting in the work to be ready for the opportunity, it's going to show up. And here we are.

[C]

What do you do when you're not boxing?

[G]

What do I do when I'm not boxing? I'm hanging out. I'm an outside girly, so I love to fish, I love to be outside my dog.

[C]

See, when you said outside, I thought I was thinking something else outside. You talk about outdoors.

[G]

Outdoors.

[E]

Oh, wow.

[G]

Yeah. The nature is where I get my, my Zen space at, you know, so I love the. I love the beach, I love that I'm even in Miami. Just to get that. That solitude, that. That time with me and the Lord and just, you know, speaking things into existence, you know, 26 is around the corner. You know, how are we pivoting? This year has been a very trying year, but I always persevere through. So 26 is becoming. And that's what I'm looking forward to.

[C]

I like watching tv.

[G]

Watching tv? Yeah. I like a little documentaries here and there. But, you know, when I think about the substance that I need in order for my mind to be in a good place, I want to fill it with substance. Something that's gonna keep me going.

[D]

I imagine also to be as excellent as you are, though, that you have to be sort of consumed, obsessive with. There wouldn't be much other than boxing in faith. There's not a lot of room for anything else. Cause you've got everyone else wanting what you now have.

[G]

That's true. And I also find my balance so within it, you know, just to be a woman and sit in my femininity and to be with my girls and to go shopping, like. It's also important to know that my identity isn't just boxing, that Alicia goes to bed at night and AB the fighter comes to war.

[E]

Do you ever. Do you ever feel bad? Like, you look at the screen right here, you're punching.

[D]

Why would she feel bad? That's what she's chosen to do. She's got to be proud of her.

[F]

Yeah, but look at that.

[E]

Look at that girl's face.

[F]

You ever say sorry after?

[D]

No.

[E]

Yeah. You ever feel bad?

[D]

Really? Really?

[G]

Listen, it's actually funny because there's a slight, because I'm a loving, caring person at heart, and sometimes I do slightly feel a little bad, but at the same time, I know what I was called to do and what I'm doing, so, you know, it comes with the game.

[C]

I don't believe you. I think you're happy. You're like, hell, yeah.

[G]

I mean, in the fight, like, come on.

[D]

Yeah, there it is.

[H]

Eat that.

[G]

Eat that. To the face.

[D]

That renders insincere. Everything you said before that. Eat that is not the same as.

[G]

I'm sorry, probably after the fight. You know, thanks, girl. But no, in the fight. Eat that. And. Yeah, I'm trying to.

[E]

Do you have time to think in the middle of, like, oh, that was awesome.

[G]

Oh, yeah, you're thinking. You're. You're playing in.

[D]

It's.

[G]

It's chess there, and it's. It's moving fast. But, yes, I do.

[D]

Where does this rank in terms of challenges? I don't know what the trash talking is in your sport. Do you sell your fights by. By doing a trash talk?

[G]

I'm selling my fight. Yes. You know, we giving hooks and we given looks and we given you, you know, a lot of talking, but one thing about it, you got to back it up. And a lot of people when. When they see women fighters, you know, they only look at them one way. But, baby, I. I am the rainbow. So I'm. I'm covering a lot of things.

[H]

Hey, when you say your servant hooks and looks and you're staring down your opponent, what are you ch. Channeling.

[G]

You know, honestly, I'm just looking in their soul. I'm not even kidding. I'm staring in your eyes and I'm enveloping. Envisioning me punching you when it comes to fight night. And I want them to feel the energy. Energy is felt when you walk into a room. And so when I'm looking at you, Whoa.

[E]

Don't do that to me.

[G]

I'm coming for you.

[D]

He's soft.

[A]

What documentaries are we watching? You catch Age of Disclosure? They're aliens.

[G]

I have not, but I did just watch what was it? House of David on Amazon prime, the story of David and Goliath. Wow. Great, great series.

[E]

What's the worst part of the life?

[G]

Worst part of the life? What do you mean?

[D]

It's. He's doing an inside joke at my expense. I ended an interview with somebody by asking the question of the grind and the life you've chosen, what's the worst part of it? But when he offers no context there, he's just amusing himself. And segments of the audience had no idea what hit him at my expense, so. But he's asking. You got to translate your shit question. Excuse me. What is. What is the worst part of the life?

[G]

What is the worst part?

[F]

Good translation.

[A]

And why is it this interview?

[G]

I'm trying. Not the interview.

[D]

Thank you for being on with us. We were. We're gonna watch this.

[C]

We didn't even ask about Jake Paul.

[E]

Yeah, Jake got a chance.

[F]

Jake got a chance here.

[D]

Have a chance. He doesn't have any kind of chance.

[G]

Jake does have a chance. When we think about boxing. Listen, y', all, when we think about boxing, it could be any fighters night. We've seen many upsets in boxing. I'm not saying it's this one. I'm just saying Jake has a punching chance and so does aj.

[E]

How much have you gotten to know him? Like, what do you make of all the discourse around him?

[G]

Yeah, you know, listen, Jake is. He believes in himself. He believes in the brand that he's been able to build for himself from the beginning of his YouTube days into who he is today. As a. As a fighter, you have to be serious about what you do, especially when it comes to boxing. So I've seen him in the gym. I've seen the trainers that he's trained with, and he is very serious about it because you have to be. This is a combat sport. It could be your night, and you can get very hurt. So, yeah, I think he takes it very serious, and I think he's ready.

[D]

You're signed to Jake Paul's most valuable promotions. You had to say that. You have to say that.

[C]

You.

[D]

Dan.

[C]

Dan, Be careful before she looks into your soul. Yeah.

[G]

But first I do want to mention it was Dan's birthday yesterday. So happy birthday.

[D]

Thank you.

[C]

Thank you.

[E]

Wow.

[G]

Important. Celebrate those wins in life.

[F]

How old do you think he is?

[G]

You know, I'll give him a good 40.

[C]

Hey, you are nice.

[F]

Play the game right now.

[G]

Jesus. Listen, it's not about how you feel.

[D]

Inside, you know, 174. That's how I feel inside.

[A]

Seriously, though, there are aliens out there. Marco Rubio talks on it is wild. You should check it out. Age of disclosure.

[D]

She's the bomb. And she is fighting on Friday night on Netflix co headlining. The co headlining.

[F]

Good luck.

[D]

She is a better fighter than Jake Paul.

[G]

That's t.

[A]

The World cup is coming back to North America for The first time since 1994. 48 teams, these giant stadiums, the whole continent turning into one massive party. I cannot wait. But actually getting tickets to any of this. Yeah, that part.

[E]

Brutal.

[A]

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[F]

Folks, listen up. You know my holiday pattern by now. Every single year I tell myself, listen, Chris, you're going to be thoughtful this year. You're going to get good gifts. You're not going to be lazy. You're not just going to get gift cards. And this year, guys, I have news. I pulled it off. No panic, no sad little card. You know what I gave? I gave an aura frame. Like, why is it so hard to find a personal gift these days? It's for the people I'm closest to. My parents, my wife, my in laws, my kid. The most important people in my world. I have no idea what I'm supposed to get them as a gift. But one thing I know, people light up when they get photos. People love photos. So I loaded up my aura frame with all the moments I know they'll love. My daughter being adorable. Random selfies, group pictures where none of us are looking in the same direction. I kept adding them because aura lets you send unlimited photos and videos right from your phone anytime. And the best part, you can preload the thing before it even ships. So when it's open on Christmas morning, all the memories are already there. I'm telling you guys this is a great gift. And folks, for a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting auraframes.com to get 35 off or's best selling Carver mat frames named number one by Wirecutter by using promo code DLB. This deal is exclusive to listeners, and frames sell out fast. So order yours now and get it in time for the holidays. Support the show by mentioning us at checkout. Terms and conditions apply.

[B]

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[D]

Is the worst part of the life?

[A]

Stugats.

[D]

The worst part of the life of what?

[E]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugach.

[D]

I feel Amin's enthusiasm sort of rooting for the NBA. Rooting for the enthusiasms of what was a cup that a lot of people who aren't watching are making fun of. But if you are watching and you're like, oh, Dwyane Wade and Stan are great framing all of what that was. And yeah, probably would have been different if wembanyama played. He didn't. He. He doesn't look like the minutes restriction combined with how he looked in that first quarter, he doesn't quite look like what he's looked like before.

[C]

So Saturday's game, it was the first time I've in three years. I said, oh, shit, he could be the best player who's ever played because it Was. It was so undeniable when he stepped on the court. The impact was immediate. Last night, not as much, but he still had a decent game. It was the end. He didn't have a good ending to the game. And I think that's part of his growth, learning how. Look, how to, you know, find his spots. Especially when things are slipping away the way that they were. But then we talk about the enthusiasm about the NBA Cup. It's one of those things. I made this analogy the other day. Defensive player of the year. We would consider that to be an important, prestigious award. Yes.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Every player or most players, like they want deport. That'd be a. That'd be a big deal for them. Right. Deep boys, like 42 years old. Right. Like, it's not something that's existed since Bill Russell. It happened in the 80s. And so I tell people, imagine if Deepoy was an award we created now. What would we say? Oh, that's just the shit they give to the guys who got no bag. That's what they would say. It would be such a dismissal.

[D]

That's dumb.

[C]

Oh, because guys can't score now, we have to make them feel good. We would have all of these ridiculous counter arguments. The reality is, if you institute something and just have some amount of consistency, this is something we do every year and we care about it. People will eventually care. When Juju said, 20 years from now, there's going to be a kid, man, I think it's 10 years. It's a 10 year old now who's watching and saw the Knicks celebrate and Carl Anthony Towns go crazy and Jalen Brunson won mvp. It's like, I want to do that when I get to the league.

[H]

They're going to have to sort out, though, I mean, all of the condensed scheduling in the beginning of the season, you've got John Hollinger getting called out individually by the NBA because he's saying, yo, there's a lot of injuries happening. And I think it has to do with the Cup. So that's something that I think a lot of Big J journalists are feeling is a threat to the Cup's longevity.

[C]

So the commissioner addressed this again last night, and it's one of those things actually in the break, I was talking with Jeremy.

[E]

There's nothing to do about it.

[D]

Jeremy, you guys were yelling at each other. You, Jeremy was off today and I saw him pop up out of nowhere. I don't even know where he was. He came in, you, Zaz and Amin were yelling at each other for five Minutes here before the bomb came in here.

[C]

So at the risk of really ruining the flow of the show to something I know is catnip for Dan, this is a great journalism conversation about press conference logistics and politics and whatsoever. Right. So, Tristan, to your question, the problem with that is they like to seize on the thing that they can attack and not necessarily the overall point. Overall point. John Hodges saying is like, hey, injuries are up, soft tissue injuries are up. But the problem is he opens the door by saying this condensed schedule. The league is like, up. We got it. Here's 10 years of data that shows that our schedule is not more condensed than it has been over the last 10 years. It's basically within the same range, which I believe is accurate. The games aren't more condensed except for.

[H]

They'Re more impactful because players are trying.

[C]

Harder, playing harder, trying harder, etc. But again, that's when you use the terminology condensed. It means too many within a small amount of time. And they're like, oh, we have a counter for that. It avoids the soft tissue injury conversation. It avoids. Maybe the games are more impactful, more meaningful. The thing we'll talk about with Zaz and Jeremy was the Tim Reynolds question to the commissioner about this Miami Heat thing. And I said, the problem is, what the question should have been is why can't they trade Terry Rozier's contract?

[A]

That's. That was my problem. I didn't care about the draft pick. I mean, I understand not establishing that precedent. Some dude tears his ACL and be like, we want the pick back. It's the same thing.

[D]

I don't, I didn't.

[E]

It's not the same thing.

[A]

I didn't even think about the pick. The pick is stupid. Whatever. To me, it's moving the contract, being able to trade the contract because. Because that has value. I'd argue it has more value than the first round pick because it's an expiring deal and you need contracts to match up. That's the big one.

[E]

But Adam Silver's like, oh, I don't know.

[C]

That's a spot on impression of Adam Silver. I feel like he's right here with us. But to the point that Mike is making, if Tim Reynolds makes his question about that now we've boxed the commissioner in, but he gives the commissioner an out. Cuz he, Adam Silver's really smart. He's really.

[E]

How should it have been framed?

[C]

Don't talk about the pick, talk about the contract. Because the moment he starts saying pick, maybe it's 27, maybe it's 28. What kind of relief can you offer the heat? Adam Silver's like, boom. He asked me the thing that's. This one's easy. So I'm gonna focus my answer around the pick rather than around the part that really has some wiggle room to it.

[D]

I understand why it is that you guys would get caught up in gambling investigation, draft pick transaction, commissioner handling it wrong. But there was basketball last night and around that enthusiasm of the basketball. I really do believe Knicks fans, given what they've made of that tournament, will remember the OG Anunoby game. They're going to remember that even though Wembanyama didn't play an anoby, went for 20 in the first half and was somebody who helped them win that game. I'm not joking when I say that some Knicks fans don't have a lot of moments like that. A whole generation of Knicks fans don't have a lot like that.

[C]

Dan, you're seeing the OG Anunoby game. I'm telling you, these are the people whose praises were being sung after the game. Number one, Tyler Kohlik. That guy became someone now in New York. When he goes back, he's not paying for drinks anymore. He's Tyler Kolek. Right. Number two, Jordan Clarkson. Jordan Clarkson was really big coming off the bench, offensive spark, he had some big threes, he flexed, he roared, all those things. Number three, Ariel Hakpuri. He only played like a couple of minutes or whatever, but Mike Brown shouted him out on the press conference.

[D]

You guys not think it's weird though, honestly? Do you not think it's weird that someone like Greg Cody, who, who says stop talking to me about this made up cup, how it is that with very little information and not feeling the enthusiasm around it, he would say, really, I have to pay him $500,000 to care. To create the enthusiasm around a game. I've got to incentivize in the middle of the season. I'm going to give each player $500,000 and watch how he cares if he wins this game.

[E]

Like, isn't that also because they're playing an 83rd game? Like the players do need to be paid for an 83rd game, right?

[C]

Yeah, I mean, so last night's game does not count towards statistics or records or anything like that. It was just a championship. So yeah, there is a compensation element. But again, no one's lying about themselves like, oh, it's because we make them pay, play more. It's like, no, this was an incentive to make them treat this as Something special and different from a regular season game.

[A]

It does feel in year three, it's finding its footing a little bit more. Players are grasping the. The concept and trying more. Amin's point was interesting in that anytime you trot out something new, cynicism and social media just makes everything so lame. At the start, I really can't remember so many. I think the Four nations was refreshing in that they just invented this thing. The players were bought in and the viewers and media alike were like, this thing is awesome. Buy in is hugely important.

[D]

I also don't want to move too far away from Dwyane Wade and Stan. We're great together.

[F]

Are we being homers there?

[A]

No.

[D]

I'm not a huge fan of Dwayne's broadcasting. I like him, but I don't think he's a great broadcaster. Just he's learning. And I don't mean this as any kind of insult, but with Stan, I saw more of him.

[C]

Bam. So exactly, I should say. I should say bam because that means something different around here. So when I saw Dwayne doing the Olympics with Noah Eagle, I thought he was awful because everything just became a story about him. And instead of like talking about the action, but with all of these guys, and I know this because I've been in this position in the studio show with all these guys, if you have the right facilitator, someone who can, who knows how to bring that stuff out, then they turn into a different person. And I'm like, you, Dan. I went back and I watched some stuff and I'm like, whoa, hold on. He's really good when he's got someone to kind of give him be a little bit more of a governor as opposed to kind of just letting him, hey, it's Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest players. Let him say whatever he wants.

[D]

It's always interesting to me, right? Because so many of these guys have gone from championships to trying to develop a career, a second career where they were as competitive as they were at the first. I imagine Dwayne has been very frustrated by not being able to find the right partner without even understanding that he needs one. Like, without. How would you explain the content game in a way that fast forwards Dwayne? It's got to be someone you like and respect, someone who knows some of the structure, someone who will give you the room. You don't have to do it all yourself with producers who are afraid to tell you anything in the way of critique when you actually want coaching. And they don't understand that you want critique. They're afraid because you're Dwyane Wade.

[E]

Yeah. As a woman of faith, it jumped off to me on the screen last night, like. And that's what I feel like me and Trista have discovered over at the Alley oop. Like, I thought I was awesome. I thought I could do anything. But you bring in Trista, someone who knows what she's talking about and has been doing this Alley oop.

[D]

That's a good plug. That's a good plug. Hakeem Jeffries next.