The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – Episode: "Do You Feel Like You Won?"

Release Date: April 14, 2025

In the second hour of this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosted by Dan Le Batard and Stugotz from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, the trio delves deep into the current landscape of sports, offering their seasoned perspectives on the NBA playoffs, emerging talents in hockey, professionalism in sports, and the evolving dynamics of basketball leagues. Amidst insightful analysis, the hosts engage in their signature banter, providing both humor and critical commentary. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key discussions, complete with notable quotes and timestamps.

NBA Playoffs: Knicks vs. Pistons – A Detailed Breakdown

Timestamp: 01:14 – 04:29

The episode kicks off with a heated discussion about the New York Knicks' playoff prospects. Dan Le Batard highlights Marcus Morris's controversial comments on First Take, where Morris suggested that stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard should consider joining Miami if they face early playoff exits.

Dan Le Batard [01:14]: "Marcus Morris, see if you can find the bias in this. Says that Jokic is not a top 20 player of all time."

Stugotz and Tony dissect the Knicks' performance, particularly their struggles against top-tier teams. They analyze the impending first-round matchup against the Detroit Pistons, emphasizing the Pistons' surge led by Cade Cunningham and Malik Beasley.

Tony [02:45]: "The Pistons are surging at the right time. Cade Cunningham's playing amazing. Malik Beasley's probably front runner for sixth man of the year."

Dan expresses cautious optimism about the Knicks' talent, suggesting that while the team is more skilled than last year's iteration, the passionate New York fanbase remains skeptical.

Dan Le Batard [03:16]: "I think the number six has a set of ingredients to make this possible. We might get to laugh at the Knicks in the first round."

Western Conference Predictions: Lakers and Clippers Under the Microscope

Timestamp: 05:04 – 09:21

The conversation shifts to the Western Conference, focusing on the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. Tony and Stugotz commend James Harden's exceptional performance with the Clippers, labeling him as "NBA first team level star."

Tony [07:16]: "James Harden for as much shit as we give James Harden. He's playing out of his mind right now."

However, concerns are raised about the Lakers' size issues, particularly their defense against formidable opponents like Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. The hosts predict potential early exits for the Lakers, attributing it to their inability to match up physically against top teams.

Tony [08:05]: "The Lakers have a big size issue. Jackson Hayes is their only big Dan. They've been playing a lot of like medium-sized guys... They're going to have trouble with Rudy Gobert."

Emerging Talent in Hockey: Macklin Celebrini's Rise

Timestamp: 05:30 – 07:16

Shifting gears to hockey, Stugotz introduces Macklin Celebrini, a young and promising player who was recently the number one overall draft pick. Celebrini's performance is lauded as transformative for his team, signaling a potential rise to becoming a top-five player in the league.

Stugotz [06:37]: "He's a very young player... He's damn near approaching it right now."

The discussion touches on the challenges Celebrini faces, including the need for talent development around him, with players like Will Smith providing necessary support.

Professionalism in the NBA: A Critique of Isaiah Thomas

Timestamp: 10:11 – 16:28

A significant portion of the episode addresses the declining standards of professionalism within the NBA. The hosts criticize Isaiah Thomas for his unorthodox behavior, specifically his appearance on NBA TV wearing a durag and no shirt during warm-ups.

Dan Le Batard [11:14]: "I just totally, 100% object to this. And if I was the GM or coach, me too. I would never let one of my players walk out on the floor looking like this."

Stugotz echoes these sentiments, advocating for a return to traditional attire for coaches and players to uphold the league's professional image.

Stugotz [12:06]: "Absolutely. Coaches gotta go back to suits."

The discussion also touches on the broader impact of such behavior on the league's reputation and the importance of maintaining professionalism.

Unrivaled Basketball League and Paige Beckers' Contract: An Industry Shift

Timestamp: 36:59 – 40:44

Dan and Stugotz explore the emergence of Unrivaled, a local basketball league attracting notable talents like Paige Beckers. The league, backed by John Skipper of Metal Arc, is touted as a lucrative alternative to the WNBA, with reports suggesting that Beckers' 10-week contract exceeds her entire rookie NBA salary.

Dan Le Batard [38:29]: "They simply reported it as this will be more money than she gets in her entire rookie contract."

The hosts critique the marketing tactics of Unrivaled, questioning the sustainability and actual financial commitments behind these high-profile contracts. They also discuss the structural differences between Unrivaled and the WNBA, highlighting operational efficiencies that might enable such lucrative deals.

Stugotz [39:48]: "It's three on three. With all the operating costs that come with, like having to have an expansive roster... it’s much fewer players that you have to pay."

Gas Bag of the Week: Cody Bellinger's Chicken Wing Fiasco

Timestamp: 28:01 – 30:10

Introducing a lighter segment, the hosts present the "Gas Bag of the Week," featuring Cody Bellinger's recent incident of food poisoning from chicken wings, which led to missed games. The discussion humorously critiques Bellinger's choice of food and the subsequent impact on his performance.

Tony [30:10]: "You need to have a turkey sandwich. Chicken wings."

Dan humorously vents about the editing inconsistencies in the segment, highlighting the challenge of maintaining a smooth narrative flow during live recordings.

Behind the Bit: Racing the Freeze with Billy Gill

Timestamp: 31:00 – 41:19

In an entertaining segment titled "Behind the Bit," Billy Gill recounts his experience racing the Atlanta Braves' mascot, the Freeze. The story details his strategic approach to the race, aimed at outlasting the Freeze despite being at a physical disadvantage.

Billy Gill [35:41]: "Yeah, I won. I crossed the finish line first... I definitely won."

Gill shares humorous anecdotes about the aftermath, including an awkward hug with the Braves' mascot Blooper, despite his confessed disdain for the team.

Billy Gill [35:50]: "I have the Traumatic experience of one falling at the finish line. It's like a fake. It's hard, dirty."

The segment underscores the playful and competitive spirit of the show, blending sports enthusiasm with personal storytelling.

Host Banter and Humor

Timestamp: Throughout the Episode

Interspersed throughout the episode is the trademark banter between Dan, Stugotz, and Tony. From mocking each other's financial statuses to ribbing about personal anecdotes, the hosts maintain a lively and humorous atmosphere.

Dan Le Batard [22:47]: "Don lebatard but it's just his titties are sitting on the shelf that is his belly stugats."

This playful interaction not only entertains but also reinforces the camaraderie among the hosts, making the show engaging for listeners.

Conclusion

In "Do You Feel Like You Won?", Dan Le Batard and Stugotz provide a comprehensive and engaging analysis of current sports topics, blending serious discussions with lighthearted humor. From dissecting NBA playoff prospects and critiquing player professionalism to exploring emerging basketball leagues and sharing personal stories, the episode offers a rich tapestry of content for sports enthusiasts. Notable quotes and candid conversations ensure that both dedicated listeners and newcomers find the discussion insightful and entertaining.