Hour 1: What's Wrong With Nick Wright?

Summary

Summary of "Hour 1: What's Wrong With Nick Wright?"

Episode Release Date: July 9, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
Guest: Nick Wright

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Introduction and Opening Remarks (00:31 - 02:23)

The episode begins with light banter and playful interactions between Dan Le Batard and Nick Wright. They engage in a humorous exchange about tequila and sponsorships, setting a casual and entertaining tone for the show.

Notable Quote:

• Dan Le Batard (00:31): "Now's a good time to remember where tequila's story truly began. In 1795, Cuervo invented tequila."

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Celebration of Nick Wright's Achievements (02:24 - 03:44)

Dan introduces Nick Wright with a mix of sarcasm and jest, highlighting Nick's reputation in sports media. The hosts commend Nick for his work, albeit in a tongue-in-cheek manner, emphasizing their camaraderie.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Le Batard (01:35): "Nick Wright is America's foremost authority in sports media. What a pathetic distinction."
• Stugotz (02:35): "I've never met Poppy. I watched him carry you on TV for the better part of a decade. But I."

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Discussion on Minor Championships and Sports Trophies (03:09 - 06:12)

The conversation shifts to the topic of minor championships, particularly in hockey, and the prestige of various sports trophies. The hosts debate the significance of trophies like the Stanley Cup and the World Series, blending humor with genuine analysis.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Le Batard (03:12): "Back to back minor championships."
• Stugotz (04:03): "But again, we are talking about our North American sports..."

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Critical Analysis of Nick Wright's Commentary (06:12 - 16:26)

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing Nick Wright's perspectives, especially his comments on Patrick Mahomes. Stugotz delves into Nick's past interactions and professional rivalry, highlighting instances where Nick's behavior has been questionable.

Notable Quotes:

• Stugotz (06:12): "Patrick Mahomes looking like he's got a bit of a dad bod."
• Nick Wright (09:26): "We've been looking for the sound, and we have not found the sound on Patrick Mahomes..."
• Stugotz (08:00): "He's been through a blood feud with this man where he called me the Jacksonville Jaguars..."

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Discussion on Military Budget and ICE (09:39 - 11:10)

Stugotz introduces a discussion about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its military budget, bringing a socio-political angle into the conversation. The hosts critique the priorities of states like Kansas concerning ICE.

Notable Quotes:

• Stugotz (09:39): "ICE is the 14th largest military in the world..."
• Dan Le Batard (10:47): "It's been a while we won the first one."

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LeBron James and NBA Off-Season Dynamics (16:26 - 30:56)

A heated debate ensues حول LeBron James's current performance, his impact on the NBA, and media portrayals. Stugotz criticizes the selective praise and condemnation LeBron receives, while Nick defends his stance. The discussion extends to potential trades, team dynamics, and media influence on player reputations.

Notable Quotes:

• Stugotz (25:00): "LeBron James in and of himself, guarantees you a championship."
• Nick Wright (28:51): "LeBron finishing next year as a Laker or not as a Laker?"

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Media Critique and Reporter Behavior (26:00 - 28:51)

The hosts critique specific media personalities, notably Howard Beck, questioning the integrity and motivations behind their reporting. They argue that certain reporters may have biases influencing their coverage of NBA topics.

Notable Quotes:

• Stugotz (26:00): "I love Howard Beck and Howard Beck is not at all a flamethrower..."
• Nick Wright (26:39): "How about that?"

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Pickle Game Segment (40:07 - 45:01)

In an interactive segment titled "Pickle with Billy Gill," the hosts engage in a humorous game where listeners call in with dilemmas. Billy Gill narrates a scenario about encountering a friend while driving, leading to playful debates on social etiquette and decision-making.

Notable Quotes:

• Billy Gill (40:14): "Is this a game of friend or co-worker or is it pickle?"
• Nick Wright (42:31): "I had a situation like this in Vegas... [was] killed by a bus."

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Final Remarks and Teasers for Next Episode (37:03 - 39:43)

The episode wraps up with the hosts preparing for upcoming announcements and teasing future content. Stugotz hints at major news involving poker, while Dan and Nick maintain their characteristic banter, teasing listeners about what's to come.

Notable Quotes:

• Stugotz (39:19): "Today the TV shows it too. And tomorrow on the pod, a major announcement involving me and poker..."
• Nick Wright (39:43): "That's as winded as Mark Jackson just from rummaging around for it."

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Conclusion

"Hour 1: What's Wrong With Nick Wright?" offers a blend of humor, sports analysis, and critical commentary, primarily focusing on Nick Wright's role and perspectives in sports media. The hosts provide an engaging discussion on various topics, from NFL players like Patrick Mahomes to NBA dynamics involving LeBron James. Interactive segments and playful games add depth and entertainment, making the episode both informative and enjoyable for listeners.

Overall Notable Themes:

• Media Critique: Scrutiny of sports media personalities and their influence.
• Sports Analysis: In-depth discussions on NFL and NBA topics.
• Host Dynamics: Playful interactions and debates among hosts and guests.
• Listener Engagement: Interactive games and listener call-ins enhance engagement.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisement segments, intros, outros, and non-content sections as per the instructions. All notable quotes are attributed with their respective timestamps for reference.

Transcript

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[Dan LeBatard]

Now's a good time to remember where tequila's story truly began. In 1795, Cuervo invented tequila. Cuervo, what are you doing here?

[Nick Wright]

Cuervo? Anytime someone says Cuervo, I show up.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, I do know that to be true. But even during ad reads like Cuervo, I think he could lay out especially for one of our great partners.

[Nick Wright]

Sweet, delicious Cuervo.

[Dan LeBatard]

Since then, Cuervo has stayed true to its roots. The same family, the same land, the same passion.

[Nick Wright]

Cuervo.

[Dan LeBatard]

So enjoy the tequila that started it all.

[Stugotz]

Cuervo.

[Dan LeBatard]

Cuervo the tequila that invented tequila. Proximo Cuervo.com Please drink responsibly Cuervo.

[Stugotz]

On.

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[Don LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugats podcast. He's America's foremost authority in sports media. What a pathetic distinction. But he is nonetheless your favorite critic's favorite critic. Another pathetic distinction. But please welcome anyway the man who proved the first word in media is always me. And you can't spell mierda without the letters in media. He's never wrong. He's always right. Ladies and gentlemen, a bigger gas bag than my son, Nick Wright.

[Nick Wright]

Very exciting. Nick Wright is here. We're always excited to see him. Congratulations on getting the papi intro. That is the highest honor.

[Stugotz]

It's a legit honor. Yes, absolutely. And I felt a little badly because the last time I was on here it was a little too like self congratulatory and talking about me and, and Tony Reali when you guys were basking in the glory of a minor sports championship. And now I'm doing it again because I'm so like, that is. I've never met Poppy. I watched him carry you on TV for the better part of A decade. But I. It was. That was great. That was really touching. That was. That was really cool.

[Dan LeBatard]

Watch your mouth. Back to back minor championships.

[Stugotz]

Okay. Yeah, that's right. So back to back minor championships for a mini dynasty. How about that? Look at what the. The. I mean. Go Cats. Cats roar. What do you guys say? I don't know.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, you got it exactly right, Cat.

[Stugotz]

That's.

[Chris Cody]

That's the motto. Cats roar.

[Stugotz]

Exactly. Per. Maybe a bit. Good to see you. Better hair this time than last time.

[Chris Cody]

We talking about.

[Nick Wright]

Did you. Did you object to Nick saying it's a min. Minor championship?

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Chris Cody]

The Stanley cup is the most prestigious of all the sports trophies. A minor.

[Stugotz]

Well, I mean, I don't know. I mean, if we're really going to do that, the. The World cup trophy is a pretty substantial one.

[Chris Cody]

I'll take back. We're talking about. In our North American sports.

[Stugotz]

Terrible.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's a terrible trophy considering how hard it is to win. And also the design has been changed that it's small.

[Stugotz]

I get that. I understand that. But again, we are. You're talking about. When you say our North American sports, you're really. If you're including hockey, you're really opening up the aperture to. Yeah, I don't know what you get for you being the best ultimate Frisbee player team in the world. Like, I'm. I'm familiar with the major sport trophies. The Larry o', Brien, the Vince Lombardi and the World Series. Like, those are the ones I'm familiar with, but again, so I can't speak to it. I know. It's cool. I. I'm happy for you guys. It was. It was. I probably wasn't, you know, probably wasn't the greatest timing for me to come on hours after you guys had, you know, completed your mini dynasty.

[Billy Gill]

Is it possible to be the best trophy but not the best championship?

[Stugotz]

Oh, definitely. Absolutely. Of course. Like, I don't know the. Again, now I'm really out of my depth here a bit, but I don't know that the Oscar trophy is the best acting trophy, but it's obviously the pinnacle of achievement. So, yeah, of course it could be the best trophy and not the best championship. Just like you guys can have the coolest studio but not be the best show. Like, I mean, I'm not saying that's the case. I'm simply saying that could happen.

[Billy Gill]

So we don't have the coolest studio.

[Stugotz]

No, no. Maybe it's both. I was. Again, I was just pulling things. Sounds like you're saying it's neither no, I'm not saying anything. I was saying, for instance, see, Dan, this is why we should have started with LeBron.

[Dan LeBatard]

You should have. Yeah, I don't know what I feel.

[Nick Wright]

Attacked Ultimate Frisbee is insulting. Like what he just did there with ultimate Frisbee. Like Frisbee.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's offensive for a guy that likes to pick.

[Stugotz]

All right, you know what I'm on in Miami. Let me be more fair. What do you get for winning high Alai?

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, you win the Commissioners cup. The battle.

[Billy Gill]

This team wouldn't know. It's been a while.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's been a while. We won the first one.

[Billy Gill]

This dedication, that damn mind who is killing the team. I've been telling you for years.

[Dan LeBatard]

We.

[Nick Wright]

We. Oh, we own a highlight team. So, you know, you've insulted us a few.

[Billy Gill]

They draft the same team every year.

[Stugotz]

You think I just pulled high, Alai? Of course I know.

[Dan LeBatard]

Let's advance a conversation. Why is Patrick Mahomes considered fat? And how do you think his body's going to age?

[Nick Wright]

Let's get that. Let's get another picture. The annual tradition of Patrick Mahomes looking like he's got a bit of a dad bod. Here you go, Nick.

[Stugotz]

This is the peak male physique given his job, first of all. Second of all, you guys, this is such a funny thing that this has come up because pro football talk and awful announcing and everything are saying Kansas City radio host. But the guy at play here, not only is he no longer a Kansas City radio host, but he is also. I joke somewhat about having a list of rivals. What was not a joke was 15 years ago, I was in a blood feud with this man where he. And he went on the record calling me the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he was the New England Patriots and mocked me at every turn. And in old school, silly radio wars, when I finally beat him in the ratings 15 years ago, as a kid, I held the listener party at his radio station's restaurant. Smash cut to 10 years later. He owned the radio station, by the way. Owned it. He got forced out because of a horrific thing he said about Andy Reid of a place he owned. So he did what every low iq, not that talented, but I like talking into the radio guy does, which is like, well, maybe I'll just make the turn to Neanderthal politics. And that's been like his little niche. And so he then on a. I mean, a podcast that can't have 35 listeners, said this about Patrick Mahomes. And now for the first time in a decade, he's noteworthy while I'm on, you know, America's know, one of America's premier platforms, which is to say, not to make it about me, but we know who won that battle. Sorry. Keats, that son of a. I hated him so much. Oh, my goodness gracious. And people like, oh, Nick, don't. You're punching down. No, no, no. It will. It will never feel like punching down. It's a bad dude who was. Who's bad for my city? And now people are like, local Kansas City radio host, that guy. It's. It's like calling someone a local television host if 30 years ago they bought time overnight. Like, give me a break, Nick. What does a blood feud with you look like? Well, that one. You just saw that one. I just, you know, I'm an intensely. I try to think I'm an intensely loyal guy. And so I, you know, like, I will even at times, to my own detriment, try to back my. My people. But if you're not that. And I also think, like, you hit the trifecta of being a bad person, being dishonest, and the thing that's, you know, worse than all those totally and wholly untalented. I just never let it go.

[Nick Wright]

We've been looking for the sound, and we have not found the sound on Patrick Mahomes, but we have found this particular sound on the aforementioned awful individual. And this is just the random sound we pulled up.

[Stugotz]

And now ICE is the 14th largest military in the world, I don't think, by number of soldiers and not by, obviously, the tactical weapons or vehicles or devices that they have, but their budget now, this year, their budget, 37.5 billion, is the 14th largest military budget in the world. I love that. Let's go, ice get her this guy. Because, listen, let me tell you something. When you live in the most landlocked state, the furthest thing from a border state imaginable, Kansas, your top priority is Immigration and Customs Enforcement. There's not an international airport to be seen, and you're surrounded on all sides. But, yeah, but that's the priority of the day. I sent the podcast, just as a whole, to one of our producers. I'm like, get the fat clip. And he sends me. He's like, buddy, I think we got bigger problems than the fact. No, I'm telling you. I'm telling you the worst. The absolute worst. And I wish I could find it. Maybe I can. Hold on. Let me see if it's back here. Wait a second.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, don't worry.

[Stugotz]

I did the thing where you Push back. I love that.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's super fun.

[Stugotz]

So I had. I have in here somewhere, but I can't find it. I apologize. We can hear you. No, no, no. Because it might not be in here.

[Nick Wright]

Go ahead and. Go ahead and look for it. We'll. We'll just put it on the poll at Ler show. Do you love I'm gonna.

[Stugotz]

I might have to walk out of the room for a second.

[Nick Wright]

That. Okay.

[Stugotz]

I'll be right back.

[Nick Wright]

Do you love pushing back on a rolling chair at LeBatard show? Chris, please push the sound for Billy. He's giggling behind you in the background and it should have a soundtrack as he does that.

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, Nick should know this, given his KC roots, but that area of the country does not shut up about this border war.

[Nick Wright]

Ah, good joke at the expense of the border war in Missouri.

[Dan LeBatard]

Jayhawks Tigers.

[Nick Wright]

Huh?

[Dan LeBatard]

You like that? I'm going to come up with some fake podcasts to try to trick Kansas.

[Nick Wright]

City and Kansas City and Missouri football. I'm trying to think of a rivalry.

[Stugotz]

This heard him yell.

[Nick Wright]

You heard him yell for.

[Stugotz]

I found it. I found it.

[Chris Cody]

Good payoff.

[Stugotz]

So here's the deal. So when I reference that the guy said he was the Patriots and I was the Jags, that is in a way too long, like literally 12, 000 word piece that was written on me that I thought was a Glo going to be like this kid from Kansas City is making waves on the radio and gonna take down the establishment. And instead it's this what's wrong with Nick Wright? And it's about this kid's delusion. You frame that he one day is going to be a media magnate when in current day. And they include in the lead as a nice little dig. He opines about his greatness from his townhouse in downtown. Like. Like this guy doesn't even have a home yet. And in. He's quoted in that in this story, basically talking about how I'm out of my mind now. Of course, every. Literally every single thing I said I was going to do, I've done. But I'll never get over it. But this I have it. I framed.

[Nick Wright]

You'll never get over it. You framed it. It's exceptional that you framed it and didn't know exactly where it was even though you'd framed it. You sound as winded as Mark Jackson just from rummaging around for it. Let's go ahead and play this sound of a winded Mark Jackson explaining this was right after the Knicks had signed Mike Brown and Mark Jackson isn't happy about it because he was also qualified. And the way that he was qualified is that he had the best shooting backcourt of all time and never got out of the second round. And then it immediately became a dynasty and won several championships.

[Unknown Speaker]

To whom it may concern, blessings. You're more than qualified. Your resume says you're more than qualified. Your body of work says you're more than qualified. So it's easy to get depressed. It's easy to get discouraged. It's easy to get down. It's easy to have doubt and start questioning. I don't know who I'm talking to. Prayed about it, asked about it, and it didn't happen. Well, it didn't happen for a reason. The worst place to be in this world is outside the will of God. Don't miss your shout. What's yours is yours. Stay ready so you don't have to get ready. That's enough to run on. I gotta go. Blessings.

[Nick Wright]

Put it on the poll, please. At Lebatard show the worst place to be in the world outside of God's will or inside of James Dolan's will. Nick, what are your thoughts there?

[Stugotz]

My first thought is that's a bad poll question. I would. Again, I am a guest here, and you guys have been putting up things without context on the poll for 20 years. I still might reconsider that one. Before I hit send, I just, just, just the thought, I'm ready. I do think that it's pretty clear that Mark Jackson is not judged purely on his basketball reference coaching page. Now, maybe he shouldn't be like, there are. I know there are some people that absolutely swear by Mark Jackson and love him. And I know there are some people within the warriors that feel like there was a lot of behind the scenes stuff that was really, really unpleasant. But I, you know, he, I'm sure, doesn't feel that way. And I understand why. I mean, you're. You're saying he never got out of the second round with Stephen Clay. Yes, that's true. I also think Steph and Clay weren't the fully formed versions of themselves. They were playing David Lee. It's not like Steve Kerr had this brilliant epiphany about Draymond. It was more, david Lee got hurt. Steph got better. Steve Kerr also, by the way, is one of the 10 greatest coaches of all time. So that probably, you know, is maybe an unfair standard. Judge him against. And I understand the frustration when he sees certain guys get job after job after job. I do understand that, but I Don't think for Mark Jackson. I think Mark Jackson. I think blackballed is too strong. But I do think, like, he's not getting an. It seems like the NBA has decided he's not getting another job.

[Dan LeBatard]

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[Don LeBatard]

Don LeBatard.

[Billy Gill]

I may take it one step further.

[Nick Wright]

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

[Stugotz]

You're getting sexier by the moments.

[Nick Wright]

Slow down. We haven't even gotten stugats.

[Stugotz]

Jason Sanders, you're unnoticed.

[Nick Wright]

Oh, my God.

[Stugotz]

What? In spite of him. Oh, wow. I love you, Duke.

[Don LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats.

[Chris Cody]

He doesn't sound like a guy who spent any time thinking, what did I do wrong to not get another interview?

[Nick Wright]

Why would he?

[Stugotz]

Well, maybe he doesn't think he did anything.

[Nick Wright]

Why would he think it's wrong? He's deeply religious. And he said homophobic things, and he wouldn't have wanted a gay player in the locker room. And it probably has more to do with why it is he hasn't been hired since then. His coaching resume.

[Stugotz]

So I, you know, so here's the thing, Dan. And this is, you know, maybe not maybe this is unfortunate, but I just. I think it's probably reality. I think. I think that is less of an impediment to him getting a job than maybe some of the behind the scenes, pop, political and alleged backstabbing he did. I think people maybe would look past that if they weren't, you know, if there weren't people worried that if I bring this guy into my organ. And again, I don't. I'm not a reporter, you know, somebody get Pablo on it. I don't know if this is true or not, but the. A lot of the stuff that was alleged about how he acted behind the scenes, I think people in positions of power are like, well, I don't want to be on the other end of that. And that, to me, is probably a big piece of it.

[Nick Wright]

We have less than 10 minutes left, and it's not enough time, given that Nick Wright is about as big a supporter in the media as LeBron James has.

[Stugotz]

This is Truth Teller, just Ra's al Ghul for the world's LeBron James Discord. Just. Just bringing balance in a world wildly and insanely out of balance.

[Nick Wright]

You are. You're a better. So you have to bet on what's more probable. LeBron finishing next year as a Laker or not as a Laker?

[Stugotz]

Oh, more probably if you offered me even money. I bet LeBron finishing next year as a Laker. But the LeBron. I am enraged at the LeBron James discourse because. And by the way, it's a lot of people that I actually really like and respect that are. Here's them in the timeline of it two months ago. This is going to be the wildest off season in NBA history. Buckle up, everybody. Get ready. Off season starts, Durant gets traded. That's cool. More on that in a moment. But we all knew that was coming. Since then, the only thing of note is Norman Powell, you guys stealing him away. And credit to you guys, Norman Powell's a nice player. Also, it is not lost on me that nobody. The only moment in anyone's life where they've actually spent real time pretending to care about Norman Powell is when they were like, won't someone think of Norman Powell in the four minutes in the All Star Game, he could have gotten if LeBron Braun would have just told him he wasn't gonna play somebody think of Norman Powell. But I digress. Then in the middle of all of it, the greatest or at worst second greatest player of all time who's never been traded, who's never been the subject of trade rumors because he honors his contracts and no team would ever trade him. Even when they were offered prime Kobe Bryant for him and he was 22 years old, they wouldn't trade him. He might be available. And the collective media has been either a shrug or open annoyance. Oh, I guess we're gonna do this again. Another summer of LeBron. I'm sorry, you'd rather talk about the second apron some more? Would you rather talk about Jonathan Kaminga's restricted free agency offer? I'm interested in LeBron for Carl Anthony Towns. Who says no, I'm interested in are the Lakers that being derelict of responsibility by allegedly prioritizing cap space in two years when there, there is when they have Luka Doncic and LeBron James on their team. And now back to the Durant thing because everyone's response has been, well, it's a 40 year old LeBron James. Last year if you were not named Joker, Shea, Giannis Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, you finished behind LeBron James in MVP voting and in first team all NBA voting, he was the spite by the voters of which I'm not one, the sixth most valuable and the sixth best player in the league. Last year we just saw an old player who he is better than Kevin Durant be traded for a decent amount of stuff. And the universal reaction, myself included is what a great trade by the Rockets, they could win the title and then a player who's better than him might be available and people are like, who would really want him? Like really? You're gonna, you're gonna change things up for the a guy who at this point is, I don't know, the seventh best player in the league. And by the way, doesn't he acknowledge that him making $52 million is part of the problem? When Jimmy Butler makes the same, when Karl Anthony Towns makes more, when it's roughly what Zach Levine makes, It's all nonsense.

[Nick Wright]

Name names on media people. Who you mad at? Howard Beck. Who you mad at?

[Stugotz]

Well, I love Howard Beck and Howard Beck is not at all a flamethrower. But he was just. I read his column and then I listened to the pod and he was just, he seemed like annoyed that this was a story. And I, I don't get it. I don't understand. So. And you mentioned Howard, not me. And how. Like, I think Howard's great. I just don't.

[Nick Wright]

Well, you didn't mention any names. You just. You just said in general. You didn't. You didn't mention it.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, I don't. Yeah, I. It just. It's the general. The general. What do you call it? Atmosphere, for lack of a better term.

[Nick Wright]

Well, that's. That's the term you want to use if you don't want to name the reporters you're talking about who you.

[Stugotz]

Otherwise, because I like them.

[Nick Wright]

But what are they. But who's. Who's breathless? Let me see. Can I accuse you? Let me see here. Straw man. If you don't name names, then it becomes a straw man. If you're just saying, they say, or many people are saying, like, you did it.

[Stugotz]

Well, see, now you're. Listen, I know what you're trying. You're trying to. You're trying to bait me into a viral clip or an awful announcing piece. And you know what? It worked. Your guy Simmons, I mean. I mean, Bill. How. How many. How. How. I gotta listen to more about how. You know. Yes, LeBron James is good, but at this point, every time he does a pod, he goes from 13th to 15th to 17th best player. We just saw a season that. Oh, you can't. You can't. If LeBron's making 52 million, you can't win a title. In what world. In what world is the 6th or 7th best player alive being the 13th highest paid player an impediment to winning? And in what. And again, if your belief system purely was that. Well, it's just at that age, except you. You worship at the altar of Steph Curry, who LeBron James was better than in the Olympics in the regular season right now, Kevin Durant, who LeBron James was better than. Like, what are we talking about? Like, just. Again, I. I am just trying to be fair. That's all I ask for. Anybody. Just be fair. And when, you know, when Bron does something that I think is wrong or it doesn't play well, or takes a shot at Wendy, which I thought was unnecessary and. And misguided, I will say it. And when everyone, for the 15th straight year, ever since the decision anniversary yesterday, by the way, all of us probably made some good money off the tied that raised. No, none more so than every single person in that room, then, you know, acts like he's an annoyance I think is outrageous. That's all.

[Tony]

Nick, I will say, like you asked, what world does all Those things that LeBron has done this year does not win a championship.

[Stugotz]

This world, right?

[Tony]

They got clapped by the.

[Stugotz]

By the Wolves. No, I.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hold on.

[Stugotz]

I didn't say I. I did not say that. LeBron James, in and of himself, guarantees you a championship. What I am saying is this. Jimmy Butler, who is in any metric an inferior player by eye test stat and availability to LeBron James, comes available. The warriors trade for him, and we're like, oh, my God, can they win the championship? Now Kevin Durant, who is less available and by any metric a. In slightly. But an inferior player still to LeBron James, gets traded to the Houston Rockets. And we're like, they might win the championship if Steph Curry were potentially 5% available. Everyone be like, oh, my God. And he makes 10 million more than LeBron and was. His team was below.500 before they traded for Jimmy and. But yes, got clapped by the Wolves. Can you imagine thinking you're a championship contender and losing to the Wolves in five games just like the Golden State warriors did? So I just. Again, I'm just asking for an error of consistency, that's all.

[Chris Cody]

Well, but Nick isn't the part that people are annoyed with is the behavior is so passive aggressive. That's what it is like. It's like we're trying to decipher code here to figure out what LeBron actually wants.

[Stugotz]

Really, Zaz, I'll be honest. What do you think he wants? I bet you can say it immediately because it's not hard to understand. Either try to win right now or move or trade me. Where's the code? It wasn't passive aggressive and it wasn't in code and it wasn't in hieroglyphics. It was very simple. You guys seem focused on the future. I'm going into year 23. I'm 40. My son is on the team. I'm that old. So, you know, as the great Marlo Stanfield once said, do it or don't, but I got places to be.

[Chris Cody]

I mean, the statement that Rich Paul put out, I don't know, look real.

[Nick Wright]

But it's as strong as it can be under the circumstances.

[Stugotz]

If he says, zaz, I'm just. I'm not trying to be combative. Was there any interpretation to that statement other than the one that I just said we would. I would like you to be aggressive to win now, and if you're not going to be, we should reevaluate our relationship. Isn't that the only. The universal reading of it, or was there another one? I didn't see well, but what do.

[Chris Cody]

You what are you expecting them to do if you're LeBron there?

[Stugotz]

How about this? How about this? Not have Dorian Finney Smith on the team, who who Luca adores and is useful in today's league whisp. Do a whisper campaign around the league about his medicals to try to tear down his value. Have him then leave for Houston and you then leak to your media people, we were fine with it because we want cap space open in 2027 and then Dorian Finney Smith's contract comes out. It's like, oh, it's a team option in the summer of 2027. How about that? How about not have the entirety of the good general managing moves you've made in the Last decade be LeBron calls and you answer. LeBron calls Anthony Davis and puts you on the phone and Nico Harrison makes the single worst trade in league history. How about that?

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[Don LeBatard]

Don LeBatard.

[Chris Cody]

I saw a post on Twitter yesterday how the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Chris Cody]

That they won the division. Guess what? It's been two years and that's two years too long. Stugats could take that ass too. We're taking two asses.

[Don LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the stug.

[Stugotz]

So, so why.

[Chris Cody]

Why not just opt out? If you're LeBron, opt out.

[Stugotz]

So that's. So that's the. That's the common easy thing to say. Why not opt out? And the answer is because there is a obvious problem with opting out right now, which is if you want max money, Brooklyn's the only one that can get it. Now you can say no, you've made a billion dollars. Take the league minimum. Which by the way, for the vast majority of contenders, all they could offer you is the literal league minimum or something very close to it. You know as well as everyone in that room, if LeBron James had opted out and taken the minimum to sign with Denver or wherever. Universal fake ring. Oh, give me a break. Yeah, Stack in the deck. Another LeBron James con job and unfair to the other players. Now there's an expectation. There was no scenario. Oh, Nick. So LeBron, why not opt out? Take less to give the Lakers more flexibility. Again, that's not a thing that existed. If LeBron took a salary from 52 million to 15 million. You know how many dollars in cap space that opens for the Lakers? Zero. So again, we. This is, this is my frustration. Finish the thought. Somebody opt out. Take the minimum. Sign with who? Fine. If anybody that acts like, had he done that, it would have been like, wow, good for LeBron. Selfless, cares about winning when the entire narrative would have been stacking the deck, fake ring, all this. We all know it. And the other piece of this, Nobody's ever done that. Hey, LeBron, we would like you when you just were sixth in MVP voting and you already make less money than Karl Anthony Towns to make even less. No one in the history of the league has ever done anything similar to it. Nick. Dirk took less. Dirk was 11 points per game. There was seven in this final year. It's not the same. Kobe didn't take less than. Kobe was on a 30 win team. Like. But again, I don't think he gets.

[Nick Wright]

Killed if he goes to Cleveland or New York. I don't think he gets killed if he goes to.

[Stugotz]

If he goes there on the minimum. There is Cleveland.

[Nick Wright]

Cleveland on the minimum to close the story. Cleveland, we gotta Go. Let's play our game here. We're gonna pick this up. He's always ready to talk about LeBron, but let's just play. Let's just play a game with him real quick. As we punctuate this segment, we've got new intro. Thank you for finally acknowledging maybe. Maybe Cleveland, but let's play the intro music, please.

[Don LeBatard]

Listen up. Time to think fast. Is this a real or fake podcast?

[Dan LeBatard]

Nick Wright is pushing the pile with Kyle Long. A real or fake podcast.

[Billy Gill]

I love.

[Stugotz]

I love Kyle Long. He was an offensive lineman. I didn't think that was the name of his podcast, though. I'm going to say, yes, it is real.

[Nick Wright]

Congratulations, Nick. That's very good. You're good at this game, but most people are bad at it. But you got to think quick. Go ahead, Mike.

[Dan LeBatard]

I said what I said with Rod Strickland.

[Stugotz]

No, fake.

[Dan LeBatard]

That is fake. Glue Guy with Bruno Sundov.

[Stugotz]

You real.

[Chris Cody]

Why do you have to think about that one?

[Dan LeBatard]

That one's fake. Why would you not host a podcast called Glue Guy?

[Stugotz]

I don't know who Bruno Sundoff is. I thought he was a member of the two time defending Stanley cup champion Florida Panthers, Maverick.

[Dan LeBatard]

Make no mistake. With Kenny Anderson.

[Stugotz]

Kenny Anderson. Fake.

[Dan LeBatard]

That is fake. Say it with your chest. Featuring John Henderson and Albert Hainsworth.

[Stugotz]

Albert Hainsworth and John Henderson, teammates in Tennessee.

[Dan LeBatard]

You know what?

[Stugotz]

Real.

[Dan LeBatard]

That one's fake. Better recognize. With Calbert Chaney.

[Stugotz]

No, that's fake.

[Dan LeBatard]

Let me Cook with Brian Cook.

[Nick Wright]

Come on.

[Stugotz]

No, that's fake.

[Nick Wright]

That's clearly Dalvin.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, it's a real podcast, but it's not hosted by Brian Cook. It should be that.

[Stugotz]

And it's fake that I was right.

[Nick Wright]

Our thanks to Nick Wright. He's always right. The host of what's Right with Nick Wright and FS1's First Things First. You can watch him on First Things first weekdays at 3pm Eastern on FS1. Good seeing you, sir. Always good catching up. Thank you.

[Stugotz]

Today the TV shows it too. And tomorrow on the pod, a major announcement involving me and poker right at the start of the pod. So check it out then. Thanks, guys.

[Don LeBatard]

Whoa.

[Nick Wright]

Major, major announcements. But come on, give us.

[Dan LeBatard]

Give it the wsop.

[Stugotz]

I know what it is.

[Billy Gill]

Just tell us.

[Nick Wright]

I think.

[Stugotz]

God, you sons of bitch. This is rude. See you guys.

[Nick Wright]

All right, see you later. For those in the audio audience, he's just finding it rude because we put up that picture again that he himself has described as his nose casting shade on his teeth because there's an actual Shadow. There's a. It's. It's an unfair photo. It's not. But it is. It's a real photo. It's not a doctored photo.

[Chris Cody]

He looks like a superhero villain.

[Stugotz]

I do know his big announcement, but I'm not gonna say it.

[Nick Wright]

Chris Cody is developing an off air friendship with Nick Wright that's beginning to annoy me where he does things like check with him on whether an intro is okay. When I wanted the surprise delight of Nick Wright hearing my father's voice introducing him, but he thought there were too many insults in it.

[Billy Gill]

Why don't you tell us the news? Just say sources and then break the news.

[Stugotz]

Hmm.

[Nick Wright]

Do you want to betray him?

[Stugotz]

Nah.

[Billy Gill]

Do it.

[Stugotz]

I'm not gonna do it.

[Billy Gill]

All right, tell me. I'll do it. I don't care.

[Nick Wright]

It's time now for the Pickle with Billy Gill on a Wild Willie Wednesday.

[Chris Cody]

My movie, the yourself Pickles.

[Billy Gill]

Really? How much?

[Nick Wright]

The pickle is a new and popular game on Wild Willie Wednesday. Let's find out what today's pickle is.

[Billy Gill]

All right. Hi, guys.

[Stugotz]

It's.

[Billy Gill]

It's me, Billy.

[Stugotz]

Hi, Billy.

[Chris Cody]

Hey, Billy.

[Nick Wright]

Hello, Billy.

[Billy Gill]

So I have question for you. I was in a pickle the other day. So I was driving down the street and I saw walking on the street a former sort of co worker. On the. On the street, I was driving a sort of former co worker because they weren't actually co workers. They just worked in the same building as us, but we worked in different. We had different employers in the same building. But I was friends with this person at the the time. It wasn't like a breakup. I think we're still friends. But the point is, is the person did not work with us, but we would interact with this person every day. So I consider the person a friend. But saying as a co worker would be too much because the person didn't work with.

[Nick Wright]

So is this a game of friend or co worker or is it pickle?

[Billy Gill]

No, this is the pickle.

[Dan LeBatard]

Do you say hello?

[Nick Wright]

It sounds like Fox.

[Dan LeBatard]

Do you say hello?

[Billy Gill]

Well, so the person is there waiting across the street. I'm waiting at the light, waiting to turn. Do I say hello to this person or not? Because the person doesn't see me. I'm just in my car. And again, not a coworker. Worked in the same building, but not the same employer.

[Dan LeBatard]

You mentioned all of that, said Ron St. John.

[Stugotz]

This feels like a good spot where you can say hello and you don't have to do a stop and chat. So, like you get credit for saying hello without having.

[Billy Gill]

But then what do you do? Do you stop and say hello? And then if you get the lead light, you wait, and then the people behind you get mad or what do you do?

[Stugotz]

I think it's a double honk.

[Billy Gill]

A honk.

[Dan LeBatard]

Wait, is it Ron St. John?

[Billy Gill]

No. Was it Ron San Juan from.

[Nick Wright]

Is he still with us?

[Billy Gill]

Whoa, Ron?

[Dan LeBatard]

I think so. I know Gary Blau isn't.

[Billy Gill]

What?

[Nick Wright]

It's just a question. I think that is a honk, a light honk, and at a very least, a point situation. That's a.

[Billy Gill]

Okay, got to throw a point.

[Nick Wright]

That's one index finger and probably with a honking.

[Billy Gill]

Now, let me give you a one up. This person was wearing AirPods at the time. So now it's kind of like, was this person even gonna hear me if I do this? Because I could very easily just keep driving, get away. No one would know, ever.

[Dan LeBatard]

Was it Laz, the IT director?

[Billy Gill]

No, it wasn't Laz.

[Nick Wright]

I. I had a situation like this in Vegas. This is gonna take a dark turn here, unfortunately, but it is something that I remember with a d. Decent amount of guilt. I was in Vegas and saw a friend of mine at a nearby table that I knew from college and hadn't seen in about 15 years. But I didn't want to catch up, and so I just kept moving. And then, no lie. Five months later, I got hit by a bus. Like, actually hit and killed by a bus.

[Billy Gill]

Lucky you. You never had to be in that. That situation again.

[Nick Wright]

Lucky me.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

That's what you were thinking.

[Nick Wright]

It's what I'm still thinking.

[Billy Gill]

Well, you said you didn't want to talk to them. Now you don't have to.

[Dan LeBatard]

Do you regret not talking to them?

[Nick Wright]

Yes. Yeah. Well, I'm bringing it up because I don't know.

[Stugotz]

I don't know.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, was it Ron St. John?

[Billy Gill]

I think he thought it was.

[Nick Wright]

Sound like from my laughter, like I regretted that. But the reason that I brought it up.

[Billy Gill]

Pretty broken up about it.

[Nick Wright]

Well, but the reason I brought it up is because I still carry the guilt of all of that story that I'm telling you that if I had to do it over again, I would indeed do it different.

[Billy Gill]

You're not giving off much guilt.

[Chris Cody]

I could tell you felt guilty, especially when you were giggling.

[Unknown Speaker]

Yeah.

[Billy Gill]

And then he died. A bus.

[Nick Wright]

That is what. That is what Samson did yesterday when he was telling us when he was reviewing that movie. I thought it was just a perfect dismount of the mayor of Toronto who were Smoking crowd who was smoking crack because he just ended by telling the story, and then he died of cancer.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think Ron St. John's still alive.

[Billy Gill]

Good, good. Hopefully he stays out of.

[Dan LeBatard]

Who was a co worker. Because I would say, hello.

[Billy Gill]

I rolled down the window, I go, wally. This is Wally from the Cleveland.

[Dan LeBatard]

Perfect. That's perfect.

[Billy Gill]

It's Wally from the guy. Go, Wally. And then he looked around, I was like, I don't know if he heard me because it's loud. And then I noticed the AirPods. He's like, Yo, Billy, how's it going? I'm like, great. How are you, man? He's like, oh, living the dream. And I was like, all right, man.

[Stugotz]

She had a full conversation with the guy.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, wave, wave.

[Chris Cody]

Stop, Wally.

[Billy Gill]

And then I had to go. I had to go. I wish it could have gone longer than I said. You know what? I'm gonna text him after. And I haven't yet, so I'm gonna put that down on my to do list for today. Text Wally, catch up.

[Nick Wright]

I've gotta be honest, that's an almost perfect scenario for seeing someone that you don't want to see.

[Billy Gill]

I wanted to talk to him, but I didn't have the time. I liked Wally.

[Nick Wright]

Again, Wale, that was not a game of pickle. That was a game of friend or co worker.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hey, everybody, it's Mike down here in South Florida. As the audience well knows, we've been celebrating a proper championship, and we've been enjoying every minute of it. And by my side throughout that entire championship celebration has been Miller like. Yeah, I wanted to make my championship time a Miller time. Because much like most of the fun memories I've had as an adult, Miller Light has been right there by my side, supplementing every experience. And now that I'm about to travel during the summer, you can rest assured I'm going to be having plenty of Miller Lite along the way, because that's what summer is all about. And since 1975, Miller Lite has been right there. And all those memories for you listening right now, it's the 50th anniversary of Miller Lite. That's 50 years of great taste, great friends, great moments. Miller Lite, great taste. 96 galleries. Go to millerlight.com 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 Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories at 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.