Hour 2: The Biggest Choke Job In NBA History

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: Hour 2: The Biggest Choke Job In NBA History
Release Date: May 26, 2025

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, the hosts delve deep into what they deem the most significant choke in NBA history. Occurring during a high-stakes playoff game between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers, the episode dissects every facet of the dramatic turnaround that left fans and analysts alike in disbelief.

Historic NBA Choke: Knicks vs. Pacers

The centerpiece of the discussion revolves around the Knicks' stunning 17-point lead in the third period, only to watch it evaporate in the final minutes.

• Dan Le Batard opens the conversation by highlighting the improbability of the Pacers' comeback:

  "[...] this is the first time this has happened in the playoffs." ([Stugotz, 02:03])

• Stugotz expresses admiration for Tyrese Haliburton's performance:

  "He makes those shots a lot more than anybody does. Like, the stats are 12 for 14 late in games." ([Mike Ryan, 03:47])

Tyrese Haliburton vs. Jalen Brunson

A significant portion of the episode contrasts the stellar clutch performance of Tyrese Haliburton with the unexpected meltdown of Jalen Brunson.

• Mike Ryan lauds Haliburton's consistency:

  "He did the same thing against Cleveland where he looped back, went back, shot a three." ([Jeremy Tache, 08:56])

• Conversely, Brunson's faltering under pressure is critiqued:

  "He had the inbound pass. I think it was on a side out of bounds where Josh Hart slips." ([Mike Ryan, 35:35])

Statistical Analysis of the Choke

The hosts provide a detailed statistical breakdown of the Knicks' collapse, emphasizing the rarity of such an event in NBA playoffs history.

• Greg Cote emphasizes the sheer improbability:

  "It's the luckiest shot in the history of basketball." ([Jeremy Tache, 03:57])

• Roy Bellamy adds context with historical comparisons:

  "Prior to last night, teams leading by nine plus points in the final one minute of the fourth quarter of an NBA playoff game were 14-34." ([Roy Bellamy, 12:07])

Psychological and Team Dynamics

The episode explores the psychological impact of the loss on both teams and their fanbases.

• Stugotz reflects on Haliburton's persona:

  "He's willing to put on that black hat and mix it up a little bit and be a little bit of a dick." ([Chris Cote, 18:10])

• Chris Cote discusses the intense pressure within Madison Square Garden:

  "There's no other arena... where catastrophe is hit and it's just like, shock." ([Chris Cote, 37:13])

Comparisons to NBA Legends

The discussion draws parallels between Haliburton's modern choke sign and historic moments from NBA legends like Reggie Miller.

• Stugotz:

  "Reggie's back in the hard Skinner." ([Chris Cote, 18:52])

• Mike Ryan muses on the potential legacy:

  "We're going to do a 30 for 30 and associate somewhat Halliburton, like we associate Reggie Miller for all time with, with those nine seconds." ([Mike Ryan, 43:16])

Broader Sports Context

While the primary focus remains on basketball, the hosts briefly touch upon a significant collapse in hockey, highlighting the universality of such dramatic reversals in sports.

• Amin Elhassan mentions the Oilers' collapse:

  "The Oilers are up 31 headed into the third period. They blow that lead then five goals." ([Amin Elhassan, 09:25])

Notable Quotes

• Mike Ryan on Haliburton's clutch performance:

  "He makes those shots a lot more than anybody does." ([03:47])

• Stugotz on the impact of the choke sign:

  "It's gonna take the rooting again." ([02:44])

• Chris Cote on historic chokes:

  "Yeah, eight points in nine seconds. That’s crazy." ([41:12])

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the implications of the Knicks-Pacers game for the future of the NBA. They ponder whether such moments will redefine player legacies and influence team strategies moving forward.

• Stugotz summarizes the significance:

  "This is the biggest choke in the history of the sport." ([20:18])

• Mike Ryan emphasizes the lasting impact:

  "This moment that went down as one of the most historic chokes in the history of all of sports." ([40:35])

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Key Takeaways:

1. Historic Choke: The Knicks' loss after a 17-point lead is unprecedented in NBA playoff history.
2. Player Performances: Tyrese Haliburton's exceptional clutch shooting contrasted with Jalen Brunson's uncharacteristic failures.
3. Statistical Rarity: The comeback defies traditional win probability metrics, showcasing the unpredictability of sports.
4. Psychological Impact: The game underscores the immense pressure athletes face and its effect on performance.
5. Legacy and Comparison: Haliburton's actions draw comparisons to legendary moments, potentially cementing his legacy.
6. Broader Implications: Such chokes have ramifications beyond basketball, affecting team dynamics and fan sentiments across sports.

This episode serves as a comprehensive analysis of one of the most dramatic turns in recent NBA history, offering listeners a multifaceted exploration of the game's intricacies and its broader significance in the sports landscape.

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

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[Stugotz]

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

[Mike Ryan]

Cuervo? Anytime someone says Cuervo, I show up.

[Stugotz]

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.

[Mike Ryan]

Sweet, delicious Cuervo.

[Stugotz]

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

[Chris Cote]

Cuervo.

[Stugotz]

So enjoy the tequila that started it all. Cuervo.

[Mike Ryan]

Cuervo.

[Stugotz]

The tequila that invented tequila. Roximo. Cuervo.com Please drink responsibly.

[Mike Ryan]

Cuervo. Shadow Show.

[Amin Elhassan]

Shadow Show.

[Mike Ryan]

Shadow Show. Shadow Show. Shadow Show. Shadow Show. Shadow Show. Shadowing it. Shadowing it. I have never had an experience like I did yesterday during the day when I came just got up in the morning projectile vomiting and couldn't move around. Couldn't do much of anything. The only thing I was able to do is successfully take my dog to the front of the grass and then immediately bring him right back because I couldn't stay out there. But late last night, as the nick started vomiting, I started feeling better. I believe that Naismith could have cured Covid knee Smith.

[Stugotz]

It's a fine.

[Jeremy Tache]

Smith is a good doctor by the way they invented the game.

[Stugotz]

Give him some grace. He watches everything on mute.

[Amin Elhassan]

Dr. Niecemith, I'm right there with you, pal.

[Mike Ryan]

What happened last night? I don't like what I'm seeing in the me in the mirror. I don't. I. I'm just hating. I'm only watching to hate. I'm. It's not like I'm ru. Like what the Pacers did should be celebrated.

[Stugotz]

I'm so confused as to who I'm going for in this series. I was literally putting my hat like Memphis Bleak anytime the Knicks had the ball. But then I wanted to watch them choke. I was just such a fan of the theater last night and they provided one of the greatest spectacles in the history of basketball.

[Greg Cote]

It became crystal clear last night what I was rooting for yeah, the pain once, the pains. I was like, oh, this is what.

[Amin Elhassan]

This is the good stuff.

[Stugotz]

I gotta tell you, though, it kind of flipped, though, because he hits the choke, he has the layup, but he pulls back like a badass.

[Greg Cote]

Gonna take the rooting again.

[Stugotz]

He has the choke, and you're like, oh, my God, that's badass. But then you realize his foot was on the line. You're like, oh, I kind of want him to be embarrassed now, too.

[Mike Ryan]

I mean, did he have the layup? Because I thought Mitchell Robinson was going to prevent him from the layup, but it was still badass, what he did, that he decided to step back on that.

[Chris Cote]

Yeah, I think. I don't. I don't know whether it was because Mitchell Robinson was there or that was his plan all along. Either way, pretty badass to step back, hit that shot. By the way, the way the ball hit the rim, went up in the end and dropped down. Remind me of Don Nelson in the Celtics championship, like, years and years.

[Amin Elhassan]

Nelly.

[Chris Cote]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

Reminded me of the sixth man, only instead of, like, Kadeem Hardison, it's Jim Irsay.

[Chris Cote]

Let's hold that for the real show. I got. I have accompanying.

[Stugotz]

And even if he didn't have the layup, though, like, he had an easy runner, like, in that pain. So if he was reading Mitchell Robinson and he decided to pull back, Mitchell Robinson was going to the cup, so I can understand the contention that it would have been contested. At the very least. I like Halliburton's chances as an all Star, but so badass to be like, nah, I'm going for the win.

[Mike Ryan]

He makes those shots a lot more than anybody does. Like, the stats are 12 for 14 late in games. 2 minutes left to tie or take the lead.

[Greg Cote]

It's the luckiest shot in the history of basketball. No, I mean, that thing bow. Many times did it bounce on the rim?

[Jeremy Tache]

Just once.

[Amin Elhassan]

Just once.

[Greg Cote]

Me and Tony. Tony, was. Were you making the argument that that wasn't luck?

[Jeremy Tache]

No, I wasn't making the argument wasn't luck. It felt like the moment that it went up in the air, I was like, oh, that's going in. The way that this game is going, that ball's going in and sure as hell straight through.

[Stugotz]

As soon as it bounced that high, I was like, it's. It's gonna wish that one in.

[Mike Ryan]

We've. We've seen a shot go in like that during games. I've never seen it at the buzzer. At the buzzer.

[Chris Cote]

That's not Nelson.

[Mike Ryan]

I've not Seen that. I know you mentioned it, but I don't. I don't remember what you're talking about. I don't know. I. I've never. I've never seen a buzzer beater that does that.

[Chris Cote]

Kawhi Leonard.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That one danced a little bit.

[Chris Cote]

It didn't. It didn't bounce as high, but it was the apex.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, you could. The half second that it was in the air was just the greatest thing when you realize, oh, it's coming straight back down.

[Mike Ryan]

I mean. I mean, you can't tell on television. You're saying the Kawhi Le bounced on the rim a dozen times. The same thing with the Alan Houston shot. The thing that was great and perplexing about this is a ball that ricochets like that never goes back in the basket. And the angles on television make it so that's not going in. There's no way that went straight up and is just gonna. It's gonna swish from the rafters.

[Jeremy Tache]

I knew it. I knew it. The moment it went up, it went straight down. I knew it.

[Stugotz]

This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugats podcast.

[Mike Ryan]

So I often say my father did this when he was younger. I've never seen something like that in my life, and it's covering a lot of ground. But what you saw from the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers last night is something that none of us have ever seen. And the way that it escalated. Stugatz, that made it so fun is how quiet and scared you can feel and hear New York being. Halliburton was quoted yelling as he ran to the locker room. Why is it so quiet in here? And the sheer balls. Stugatz, just the unbelievable strength in him saying that he was going to go for the floater. Then Bridges hits the ball, then he backs up and tries to take a three. But in that moment, Stugatz, for him to immediately recognize, now's a good time to do the choke sign, for the history of it, to be standing in the center of Madison Square Garden and to immediately do that because you're not caught up in your own emotion as you've just won the game. You're as interested in breaking the other people, being the villain and mocking them as you are at winning Stugats. When you go that early to the. That quickly, to that kind of celebration that mocks all of New York. And we haven't had a lot of players willing to do that. Reggie Miller did it once upon a time, but a lot of players who are willing to embrace that that doesn't happen a whole lot.

[Chris Cote]

Well, shout out to Tyrese for a couple of things. Number one, he said had I known it was a two, I wouldn't have done that celebration, right. I thought I won the game. And he said I probably can't do it anymore because then it'll seem a little disingenuous. He also said he didn't talk to Reggie, but he did lock eyes with him when he did it. And finally he said he respects and knows the history and he knows Reggie Miller did that choke sign. That was the series they lost in 94. And he said, I'm not trying to do that, I'm trying to win.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, pretty aware. And also last night he became a superstar 100%. And this is why having the Knicks and that and that platform, that stage, the Mecca is so big for guys like Halliburton. It doesn't register the same. Maybe it does with the defending champion Boston Celtics, but it's.

[Chris Cote]

You needed this. That's the moment in the same way that Shai Gilgis Alexander would have if he had done it against the Warriors. Not that the warriors are great, but just because of the attention that Steph Curry brings that would have catapulted him or flip side, Anthony Edwards needed like the Lakers to be on this, on the stage or someone like that. Obviously that wasn't going to be an option for him because he played them already. But that's the part of these passing the torch is you need that high profile moment, right? And what the Knicks do is they provide a built in, doesn't matter how good they are. It's going to be a high profile moment if you do it against the Knicks.

[Stugotz]

Dan, yesterday we were Talking about this NBA reset, the getting away from LeBron and Steph can count on them anymore. And you have to put in the sweat, put in the time to develop these new superstars Moment like last night. A moment like last night really fast tracks this for the NBA.

[Jeremy Tache]

Halliburton has done this in every series so far in the playoffs he's had a moment where it's like crossing Giannis, game winner at the bucket. He did the same thing against Cleveland where he looped back, went back, shot at three. I don't think it was a game winner but it was to go ahead.

[Chris Cote]

It was ended up being a game winner.

[Greg Cote]

Okay.

[Stugotz]

It's going to be remembered the way that Ray Allen was like everyone remembers that shot, right? But they don't know exactly how Miami won that game. It's conflated like Miami won the game on that shot. No, no. History is always going to remember that Halliburton shot, even though it wasn't a game winner.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's interesting that we're starting here when you consider that we had one of the biggest collapses in hockey history last night. I mean, the oilers are up 31 headed into the third period. They haven't played a game in a week. They beat the Knights in five games. I mean, the Dallas Stars, they just came off a 6, 7 game series with the Jets. That series ended, I think, on Saturday. They had no rest. They're down 31 at home. They come back, they get the job done. This is an Oiler team that has the best hockey player in the world. This is an Oiler team that went to the Stanley Cup a year ago. This is an Oiler team that's finally trying to win a Stanley cup for the country of Canada. They are up 31 headed into the third period. And they blow that lead then five goals, they give up to the Stars in the third. What a joke.

[Mike Ryan]

How are you feeling?

[Amin Elhassan]

What a joke.

[Mike Ryan]

How are you feeling today, Stugent?

[Amin Elhassan]

I feel great. Feel fine. Why? The Stars last night and the Knicks in the first half. I mean, atta boy.

[Chris Cote]

How are you feeling, Dan?

[Mike Ryan]

Like it's unfair to Niecemith to make it all about Halliburton. Yeah, that's how I'm feeling. Guy made six threes in the fourth quarter. It's never happened before in a playoff game. And hockey club the way that that happened ever so slowly where Neesmith is making not just threes, but absurd threes. And you can just feel like he's up in the air, he's changing flight in air. And what was happening in Madison Square Garden, Amin is like, this is what. This is how it felt to me because it's been 25 years of suffering. And you also understand, right, they're overreacting to early playoff wins as a city because they're so starved. Nobody reacts this noisy to first and second round victories. And so they're feeling themselves yesterday. They're up 17 points. They're showing all of the celebrities. And Indiana is taking New York's best shot. This is Brunson going efficiently for 40. This is Karl Anthony Towns being efficient in getting his point totals. You're up early in the game, even though you're up in the first period, even though Indiana shoots 74% in the first quarter and at the half you're winning by seven. And it's a wonderful Game to watch. But then in the fourth quarter, New York goes up 17. And what we've never seen statistically like this is the stat NBA teams were. Oh, and 970 went down by 14 or more points in the final two minutes.

[Chris Cote]

Is that bad?

[Mike Ryan]

50 seconds of regulation in the playoffs over the last 27 postseasons, they're now 1 and 970.

[Roy Bellamy]

Prior to last night, teams leading by nine plus points in the final one minute of the fourth quarter of an NBA playoff game were 14, 34. And oh, since 1997, they were due.

[Mike Ryan]

Indiana's done this four times.

[Greg Cote]

Yeah, the coming down, I thought it's never happened.

[Mike Ryan]

No, from. From down 15. Excuse me, from down 15. They've come back four times during just this postseason. That's a product of the way the game is played today, right? That's just all that is.

[Amin Elhassan]

Like, the Knicks came back from 20 down two games in Boston. So, yeah, I think it's a product of how the game is played today. Of course, the threes can get you back in the game very quick.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, I, I'm.

[Chris Cote]

Well, the Knicks, when they came back, the threes got him in the game, but it wasn't their threes that got him back in the game. It was the Celtics messing up a bunch of threes.

[Amin Elhassan]

They got him back in the game.

[Mike Ryan]

Why are you talking like that?

[Amin Elhassan]

I don't know.

[Mike Ryan]

So Halliburton is now 12 for 14. 12 for 14 when he's shooting to tie or lead in the last two minutes of the game. And Mike's saying, well, that's what makes you a superstar. And I'd say, yeah, you need moments like that. But what's going to make him a superstar is that he's got personality.

[Stugotz]

Well, I mean, that was on display, his personality, with that platform, with that moment. For a guy that's had a lot of moments. And I would bet dollars to donuts, that dude shows up at SummerSlam in MetLife Stadium.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't know why you keep betting dollars to donuts. I don't know why Dave Sampson thing.

[Stugotz]

To say, dollars to donuts.

[Chris Cote]

Let me put on my Dan hat and say, where does that saying come from? Someone do some research.

[Stugotz]

It always works. It always works.

[Mike Ryan]

It's just. It's sticky stuff.

[Greg Cote]

Put a polarizing saying, put it on the pole.

[Stugotz]

That makes me an ascending personality.

[Mike Ryan]

Do you believe in the saying betting dollars to donuts?

[Amin Elhassan]

Because how about Stuart Skinner last night, huh?

[Stugotz]

I don't trust him. The weight of a nation and Stu Skinner, they got to go Back to Pickard, right?

[Greg Cote]

He either has a shutout or is the worst goalie in playoff history.

[Stugotz]

That's a crazy thing.

[Roy Bellamy]

In the mid-1800s, donuts could be bought for just a few nickels. So dollars to donuts.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, you'd bet dollars because they're worth more because you're that convinced of it. The thing about Halliburton, though, when it comes to personality. Jokic, what's the personality? No, I'm going to do. I could do it to all of them, though. Doncic, what's the personality?

[Chris Cote]

Hookah.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, like, but John Morant, guns. I mean, okay, got some personality.

[Stugotz]

Too much personality.

[Amin Elhassan]

Dial it back. I don't know how to do this one.

[Mike Ryan]

Today the guys in the league. Anthony Edwards is a bit unvarnished, right? So part of his personality traffics in what today passes for the modern day Allen Iverson.

[Stugotz]

Where.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, he's a little dangerous. Yes, he's going to get fined first off. He says what he wants.

[Chris Cote]

Modern day Cromartie also.

[Mike Ryan]

But when you look at doing that stug in Madison Square Garden and at the end the story becomes all about Halliburton when they were down 17 and Niecemith, who isn't the guy you fear there. He's just not. He's not. I'm not saying he's not good.

[Amin Elhassan]

He's just not capable of that game.

[Mike Ryan]

But he's just not the guy that you're fearing for.

[Jeremy Tache]

Six threes and not missing, Dan.

[Mike Ryan]

Not missing. He didn't miss. Not. Well, this is the thing, right? Like, I know it's going to be a historic choke. I know there were turnovers and missed free throws and I know in overtime the Knicks fell apart. But the Pacers did take it from him like the last five minutes of the game, they made all their threes. And the one that wasn't a three was Halliburton stepping on the line. That should have been a three. Like they, they, they didn't miss a shot. It wasn't it. So you can say that. Holy shit. I can't believe they scored 20 points that fast. But the Knicks also scored like it wasn't a 20 nothing run. It's just that the Knicks weren't making these threes that, that N. Smith was making.

[Chris Cote]

I'm going to fight back on N. Smith making crazy threes. Yes, he hit them all. And you know, no one is expected to hit 100%. But he got great looks because the Knicks, the Knicks defense gives up a lot of open looks. And we talked about this against The Celtics. The Celtics, yes. They took too many threes. Should have drove especially up 20. But I understand why they took them because they were open.

[Jeremy Tache]

I don't want to be the guy to blame people that do things, but. OG Anunoby, Buddy.

[Amin Elhassan]

Oh boy, Buddy.

[Jeremy Tache]

If you don't go above the screen one time, okay, you're playing drop coverage. Like neesmith hasn't hit 19 shots in a row.

[Stugotz]

OG, please.

[Jeremy Tache]

And hit a free throw, by the way. That would have been the game.

[Amin Elhassan]

They were up nine with under a minute to go.

[Stugotz]

Had the Knicks Cat 2 Cat skating on that miss going over screens. Brunson also.

[Chris Cote]

By the way, he was.

[Amin Elhassan]

Terrible in the final moments of that game.

[Chris Cote]

There were at least trouble, at least three or four almost turnovers that the Knicks didn't turn up, but there were almost turnovers. It was uncharacteristic how unclutched they were.

[Stugotz]

What is Halliburton ceiling in terms of like super in. In. In terms of super stardom? Because we were talking back here off Mike, he reminds me a lot of Damian Lillard. Made me wish because I loved. I was a big Dame guy. I know Dame had some moments in the playoffs, but he never really got. He went to the Western Conference finals one time.

[Chris Cote]

Got swept, though.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, got swept. Even though they led every game in that series.

[Chris Cote]

Yes, but rare. The rare. Hey, they didn't really get.

[Stugotz]

A Brenda Moore sweep. He had the game to have those moments. The moments just never came to him. Halliburton's had a lot of these moments. But is his ceiling, Damian Lillard type superstar or we pushing into like, this guy can be face of the league, marketable, like Dame near Steph territory.

[Chris Cote]

So Dame at his peak was marketable. Maybe not face of the league, but signature shoe. The signature shoe, like a brand ambassador for Adidas and all that stuff and a host of other national brands. I don't think Halliburton is as good as Damian Lillard's peak, but he definitely, I think, has a more engaging person. Damon still kind of a gruff, reserved, kind of old school professional in his approach. Halliburton's willing to put on that black hat and mix it up a little bit and be a little bit of a dick, you know, And I think that that helps significantly in like how big his brand could be. I'll tell you who's most upset today out of anybody in the world.

[Amin Elhassan]

Reggie Miller.

[Chris Cote]

Nope.

[Stugotz]

No.

[Chris Cote]

Reggie's happy. Reggie loves it. Reggie loves it.

[Stugotz]

Because Reggie's back in the hard Skinner.

[Chris Cote]

I mean, Skinner superintendent Chalmers. No, it's Trae Young because he's like, that was my corner. That was my lane. I rolled dice at half court.

[Mike Ryan]

I know you're taking away from me. What are you doing?

[Roy Bellamy]

Well, the irony is, is that Halliburton is basically a better version of Trae Young in every way, because Trae Young might lead the league in assists, but he also has a ton of turnovers. And what makes Halliburton so unbelievable and his future so bright is that he's basically a perfect point guard. On April 2. On April 2, he recorded his 14th game with 20 points, 10 assists and zero turnovers. That was the most in NBA history since they started counting for turnovers. He passed Chris Paul, who had 13 such games. So he's already there and he's in his 20s.

[Chris Cote]

So among other things also, that helps Tyrese Halliburton that he has that not too many people in the sport have. Some people do. Some people do, but not too many people have. He's got a great personality, but, you know, else his dad has a great personality. And so I don't know if you guys got to see sparkly how John Halberton experienced the. That game and that game winner last night, but he did. And he was glorious. Glorious in his. Put it on the screen. Look at him right there.

[Mike Ryan]

Choke signal.

[Chris Cote]

He with choke signals. He's at a bar, a sports bar. Where is he? Probably in Indiana.

[Mike Ryan]

That.

[Roy Bellamy]

Our testers.

[Chris Cote]

Our testers. I mean, look, this is. This right here, ladies and gentlemen, this is like peds, right? Because you got a guy who's got great personality, who's got a dad who's got a great personality. Come bring it together. Give him a TV show called Highly Questionable.

[Greg Cote]

Seems he's learned his lesson. Seems like he's watching, staying out of the spotlight.

[Amin Elhassan]

Good try, Mike.

[Mike Ryan]

What happened?

[Amin Elhassan]

Nothing happened.

[Mike Ryan]

Nothing happened.

[Amin Elhassan]

Who thought of that? I don't know.

[Greg Cote]

Folks, listen up. The time has come to get some new golf clubs, and that means one thing. Heading over to my local PXG store for a fitting. They make the best golf clubs, period. Roy, I know you need new clubs, right? You're in that.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, I need new clubs, man. My clubs are way too short. I need to get longer clubs. I need new.

[Greg Cote]

The grips.

[Jeremy Tache]

Grips.

[Greg Cote]

I'm telling you, Roy, you go over to pxg, within an hour, you will be out the door with their good staff. They're going to get you fitted, you're going to take multiple shots. They're going to get you set up with their woods with your irons, they're going to get you the right grips, the perfect length clubs. I'm telling you, nothing fixes your golf game like getting fitted.

[Stugotz]

Oh, absolutely. I need to work on my short game. So these clubs are definitely, I think.

[Greg Cote]

You got to work on the whole game, not just the short.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, well, you know, I, I got a long drive, so.

[Greg Cote]

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[Roy Bellamy]

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[Stugotz]

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[Mike Ryan]

Don LeBatard, your history with him suggests three years of.

[Amin Elhassan]

Those are the heaters.

[Mike Ryan]

Three years of heaters. But this Stu got my partner enlivened.

[Amin Elhassan]

By a sports we're having sex baby.

[Mike Ryan]

And Joe Maurer. Yes. Like, this is the best version of him. What Stugats.

[Greg Cote]

Now you are.

[Amin Elhassan]

Yeah.

[Mike Ryan]

The. The feels good.

[Stugotz]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats.

[Mike Ryan]

Halliburton dominates the headlines today because it happened against New York and at least in part, Stugatz. Because if you stuck with that game after, after the knicks took a 17 point lead, there's a lot of people.

[Amin Elhassan]

Who didn't, by the way. Right. They woke up today thinking the Knicks won. Anyway, sorry, I've got to assume.

[Mike Ryan]

So I have to assume that that's what happened today. That a lot of people gave up on that. Because if you just rewind and it's hard to fathom, right. How quickly all of this stuff changes. I simply want to take you back to how good New York felt and how many people were yelling at Neesmith and others for continually fouling Knicks three point shooters. Stinky Knicks three point shooters. As Brunson left the game with foul trouble and that seemed to be Indiana's best chance to win the basketball game. They were down two. Brunson leaves the game. He's leaving the game for eight minutes. At the end of it, the knicks are up 14. I remind you how good New York felt right then. Scrappy, underdog. We don't even have to do it with the smallest player on the court. Our guys are clutch. You remember how we love Hartenstein and those Villanova grit and we didn't want Divincenzo the Foreigner to be traded because we loved all of that grit. But now at the end of that sequence, they're feeling great about their role players. They're feeling great about everything that just happened and then their heads get caved in. You have to imagine Knicks fans, all of them slept poorly last night, right? Every last.

[Chris Cote]

You have them sleeping every last while.

[Amin Elhassan]

The ones that went to sleep when they were up 17, they slept like a baby. The ones who watched the entire game, they didn't get a wink. I mean, none of them seriously was embarrassing.

[Mike Ryan]

Put it on the poll at LeBatard show. Did a single Knicks fan sleep well last night?

[Amin Elhassan]

The Halliburton discussion is interesting because I would say his upside is I think he's better than Damian Lillard. This is a guy is the best guy on his team. He's taken his team to the conference finals two years in a row and now he's on the verge of going to the NBA Finals. I mean, Damian never did that.

[Chris Cote]

Relax.

[Amin Elhassan]

Oh, come on.

[Jeremy Tache]

On the verge of.

[Amin Elhassan]

What are you doing?

[Chris Cote]

What are you doing?

[Mike Ryan]

I will say this.

[Amin Elhassan]

He's the best player on his team. He's taken them to the Eastern Conference finals twice. Damian went once.

[Stugotz]

In terms of surrounding talent, I stood. He does have an argument like, this isn't an uber talented team around Tyrese Halibur. No, Lillard never really had a super talented team around him.

[Chris Cote]

Lillard never had a super talented team around him. Also, Lillard played with warriors and Thunder and Rockets and all these 65 win teams left and right.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, that's.

[Roy Bellamy]

That's probably also the supporting cast is like, I think that's the big reason none of us expected any of this from the Pacers the last couple years is because no one around the NBA respects people like Neesmith and Nemhard enough. These guys are really, really, really good two way players.

[Chris Cote]

Dan, I'd like to shift gears to something a little bit more somber here. I'm sorry, I know we're all excited to talk about the game. No, it's not about hockey. It's still about the game. But I'm really concerned. I'm very concerned. A dear friend of mine, his name is Elite the producer. He's a Grammy winning producer for Dreamville. And he disappeared somewhere within that nine point blown lead for the Knicks. And we haven't heard from him since.

[Mike Ryan]

Like a missing person.

[Chris Cote]

Like, we pinged him, we've added him, we've sent texts, direct messages. He's not responding. So I know this is live. If you know Elite and you've seen him, please tell him his friends miss him and are worried about him and his good and his, his, his Health. I'm hoping everything's okay. I know last night must have been tough, but buddy, we're really worried. Thank you. Sorry guys. As you were.

[Stugotz]

Minor penalty, two minutes high sticking.

[Jeremy Tache]

You thought it was that high?

[Chris Cote]

Guilty.

[Mike Ryan]

The pace, is there blood?

[Greg Cote]

Nope, we're good.

[Mike Ryan]

The Pacers are 43 and 16 this calendar year. Okay. They started a bit slowly and I understand how it is that both you can underestimate this before it starts and then you get a moment like that and get carried away and make him better than Damian Lillard. But I will say that when I was introduced to Halliburton and I don't know how or when this happened for you, but for me it was when he was playing here against the Heat and he started pulling up from 35 and 40ft and I'm like, oh, there's another one who could do what Steph and Damian Lillard do and Trey less efficiently. But he. It was the first time I'd seen another player extend the range. And when Jeremy says, and he is right about this when he says, you underestimate Neesmith as a two way player, you really do understand that when Anunobe doesn't look like an athlete against other athletes, you've got on the court a bunch of hybrids who can play a lot of different kinds of basketball against. Against people. And, and what it is that you're watching with, with the sport changing, because it's not just that it moves From Steph and LeBron to a new kind of stardom and younger players. It's a style of play that's different stugats because I also remember, I remember coming in here all excited one day because I was watching early Golden State warriors basketball and they had a three on one break and two of their guys went to the corner three spots instead of going for the layout.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's the most excited I've ever seen.

[Mike Ryan]

But I'm like, what the hell, what, what the hell is happening out here with, with this. The idea that you have a player in the league, okay, who's miked up during the game and he's saying of Mitchell Robinson, that guy doesn't even have to like jump or anything because he's got like his fingers go down to his ankles. And so Mitchell Robinson, he's like, I love that guy. Because Mitchell Robinson is, is just, he's very long. And, and what Halliburton was articulating is that's what's defending him at the end of the game, that size mismatch. And he's Going at it. It's what it is that he's attacking. He says afterward that he was thinking about the floater bridges sort of hits the ball. The idea to step back there, Stugat to be like, I want to win this game. I don't want to tie it right now.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Amin Elhassan]

If you're gonna step back, though, step back all the way back.

[Stugotz]

That's. That's a great point. And he would have been totally crushed had he not stepped all the way back. And then he would have been a punchline forevermore. It teetered that much. They had to handle business in. In overtime, but they've shown the play a bunch of times since. Yeah, you had the take. You weren't so sure that he had a lane to a layup. I'm kind of siding with you. I see it. It did seem like Mitchell Robinson had good positioning, and while he would have had an attempt at the rim, it would have been difficult. So I think he made the right basketball move outside of, you know, not maybe being an inch further.

[Mike Ryan]

You guys do understand, though, that this moment that we're talking about, this mo. This wonderful moment. Pure luck.

[Stugotz]

The ball went above the shot clock.

[Greg Cote]

It went twice as high as I remember.

[Stugotz]

It was on a good trajectory, though. Like, it was. It looked. It looked kind of pure.

[Greg Cote]

It didn't barely bounce. It went up to the shot clock.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, that's the highest apex I've ever seen on a rebound. It's crazy.

[Mike Ryan]

And. And then swished, like, didn't. Didn't.

[Roy Bellamy]

Oh, nothing in that.

[Stugotz]

Jim Mercy just blew that one into the hoop.

[Chris Cote]

Don Nelson, 1969 Nelly.

[Mike Ryan]

Would you guys please, for a moment understand that I went 17 times? I projectile vomited yesterday. But about as good as I felt watching sports is the one second that that ball hung in the air. After watching the previous six minutes of. I'm watching New York deflate. These people are scared. These crowd shots are great. They're better than the basketball. These crowd shots of just sweeping fear, just waves of fear through the building. They know what's coming, and then just freeze it. On that one second. Do you know how painful it is? Because they're like, we're going to lose. We're going to lose. I feel like we're going to lose. We're going to lose now. Oh, the ball's in the air. We're going to lose. Then they go to replay, and they nullify the whole thing. We're still going to lose. I know we're going to lose. You know why? Because for 25 years we've lost.

[Stugotz]

Then they get out to that four point lead. Overtime is New York.

[Mike Ryan]

You choked.

[Stugotz]

You shouldn't have done that. You shouldn't have done that.

[Chris Cote]

Look, I'm going to tell you right now the book on how the basketball gods work says because he celebrated too much despite stepping on the line, the way that overtime started, I was like, oh, this is going to turn into an even more obnoxious win for the Knicks. And then they fell apart. And why didn't they file Obi Toppin? Why is Mikhail Bridges trying to block Obi Toppin at the rim?

[Jeremy Tache]

And they didn't call it, which they got lucky.

[Stugotz]

What a putback though. If anybody is interested in a top shot. Nft.

[Chris Cote]

Oh, it's never been high on a corner.

[Stugotz]

20 bucks. I'll take it. Venmo. Right now it's yours.

[Mike Ryan]

I think of you every time he does something.

[Stugotz]

My mentions still get flooded. Top shot was a moment in time. I guess I really registered.

[Mike Ryan]

I'd like to bring up something here for Amin because Amin was saying earlier in the game in the show, and I don't want to skip past this, okay? Empirically, Jalen Brunson is the most clutch player in the league by leaps and bounds. He scores more in the fourth quarter than anybody else. What I will tell you is the expectations on Jalen Brunson right now are different than they've ever been. The fear in that building is something that I could feel. The fear in that building is something that I could feel on my television. And Brunson totally fell apart at the end of that game. He did the inbounding by the Knicks and specifically Brunson just. He had a historic throwaway that Anunobi happened to get at mid court, but he was trying to hit somebody. He was trying to hit a Pacer in the leg and it would have been a disastrous turnover. And he had others during the game. And what I'm telling you is when you see the shift and it's only one game and we'll see this story play out on whether or not Brunson can take this from Halliburton, as they're trying to fight over the league, who gets to take the league. But in clutch moments last night, Halliburton's your guy. Brunson fell apart. It's a one game and I'm just talking about the end. He had a good statistical game. I mean, you can't tell me he was having trouble bringing the ball up.

[Chris Cote]

So he was great up until he got his fifth Foul. And his fourth and fifth fouls were both really dumb fouls. It was Karl Anthony Townes level fouls. They're like, what are you doing? That's not what you do. You're the smart guy. Right? And so then after that fifth foul, it kind of, I think, you know, he came back in, and I don't know if his confidence was messed up or something, but clearly the pressure got turned up on him, and he looked uncharacteristic.

[Mike Ryan]

It was weird.

[Chris Cote]

We don't see him look like that ever.

[Amin Elhassan]

That's what made it seem he looked clumsy. I mean, he looked clumsy.

[Chris Cote]

That Patson in particular, the one that ended up in OG Anunoby's hands, like, that was a. Oh, my God, he just blew the game right there. And I was like, oh, OG caught it. Never mind. Game over. All he's got to do is hit these two free throws, which of course we know didn't happen. The other play, by the way, Dan, was the inbound pass. I think it was on a side out of bounds where Josh Hart slips.

[Amin Elhassan]

Yes.

[Chris Cote]

And like. Like, was it Nem Hart was Nemhardt. If he had not just tried to get the ball immediately, if he had taken one step. But that was gonna be a steal and a turnover the other way as well.

[Mike Ryan]

What I'm saying to you guys, though, is it really is a cool thing to watch happen in real time.

[Amin Elhassan]

Watch, watch.

[Mike Ryan]

The fear of that building is something that a team that hasn't been this deep can feel a little extra. I mean, Halliburton doesn't have a whole lot of reason to be scared of these moments dugouts because he's had many of them. It's just, if he's that good in the clutch, my guess is if confidence is successes stacked atop, you don't go from a 2 to a 3 to immediately a choke sign unless you're super confident about what you do for a living.

[Chris Cote]

Well, Dan, his exploits are very well publicized at this point. From this postseason alone. Everyone knows this is what this guy does. So now it's like the mythology built for him. But I want to ask a question to the room. I submit to you there is no greater sound in the world of sports than hearing shocked Madison Square Garden, that sound. There's no other arena, there's no other team where it happens where, like, catastrophe is hit and it's just like, shock.

[Greg Cote]

Toronto Maple Leafs fans was nice.

[Chris Cote]

No, they left. The guard doesn't leave. They sit there and they sit in that shock. And that's what makes it different.

[Mike Ryan]

It's not just that they sit in the shock. They then immediately realize, oh, I hope I shouldn't hope. I stayed because I hope. And I shouldn't hope because they always betray my hope because they're the Knicks. And I do ask you, I ask the audience, do you believe that the clutchiest of clutch players can feel that that fan base which he has allowed to dare to hope stugats. They believe in him. They believe in him late.

[Amin Elhassan]

Yes.

[Mike Ryan]

That is the, that's the great thing to have in sports. That's having Mahomes, that's having Tom Brady.

[Amin Elhassan]

You have the closer, you, you have.

[Mike Ryan]

The guy that finishes people. But what happens when they've got the better finisher and he's not a better player?

[Amin Elhassan]

Not he's a better finisher. He might be a better player, but for right now he's a better, I guess, clutches player in the league. He had 43.

[Chris Cote]

Like we're killing him right now.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, at the end of the game.

[Amin Elhassan]

Though, look, he was, he had seven turnovers.

[Mike Ryan]

Wait a minute. I mean, hold on a second. Okay, look. Yes, of course, Brunson is great, great story, all of that stuff. And, and you know that I prefer most times to celebrate instead of criticize. I'm. I'm telling you right now, I'm actively hating while watching sports. That's not something I do. I was rooting only for Boston's fan base to suffer. I thought that Boston had a better chance and, and did have a better chance to win the championship than this Knicks team does. And so I figured that I would root for Boston to lose first and then root for New York to lose.

[Amin Elhassan]

Next, like winning a title.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm going to put up banners. I'm going to put up banners of a parade. Yeah. Of just sad face.

[Jeremy Tache]

Dan, if you want me to be honest, this is like Heat haters are down bad this postseason, right? Boston, Boston fans gone. New York going through this. And then if Indiana goes next and they get beat by, you know, sweeper or gentleman sweep, all of a sudden all these Heat fans are like, then we stop caring. We did it, baby.

[Mike Ryan]

This is not the way to watch sports. I don't think, but I enjoy too.

[Chris Cote]

Much a great way to watch sports every night. Every night. You're a winner one way or another.

[Mike Ryan]

So. But when I say though that I don't like to, to, to blame and you say we're killing Brunson today when he goes for an efficient 42, 43. But, but what I'm saying is simply when faced with what will go down as one of the most historic chokes in the history of all of sports, and may not be the most historic choke in the rivalry simply between these.

[Amin Elhassan]

Two teams or last night, I mean, the Oilers.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't know if this is a bigger choke than Reggie Miller's choke. I mean, statistically, it's a bigger choke. It's even more improbable than Reggie Miller's making.

[Stugotz]

There is no bigger choke in the history of the sport. What's a bigger choke? Especially, like, maybe there's a bigger one in the regular season where a team got caught napping in a meaningless game. Maybe there's something like that. But look at the odds. Statistically, this is the first time this has happened in the playoffs.

[Mike Ryan]

All right.

[Chris Cote]

Yes. Yes. But I submit to you, eight points in nine seconds is kind of crazy. Yeah, that's crazy.

[Amin Elhassan]

Yes.

[Jeremy Tache]

17 points in a matter of two minutes.

[Chris Cote]

Yeah, but it was insane.

[Stugotz]

They were. They were down 9 with 51 seconds left.

[Mike Ryan]

What's the poll question, then? Bigger choke. Okay, eight points in nine seconds. Or how do I phrase the next one to make it?

[Amin Elhassan]

Either down 17 with 240something left, or it's down 9 with 44 seconds to go. What's the bigger choke? They choked twice in that game.

[Greg Cote]

I think it's nine with 40.

[Stugotz]

So do I. I mean, the Bulls had a pretty crazy comeback this year against the. The Lakers.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Stugotz]

Where. Where, like, the win probability. I'm curious to see what the win probability was for the Lakers there.

[Chris Cote]

What we're trying to balance here is, like, the size of the deficit and the time remaining, Right?

[Amin Elhassan]

Yes.

[Chris Cote]

And that's the real thing.

[Greg Cote]

That's how it works.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes.

[Chris Cote]

That's.

[Stugotz]

I think the Bulls was probably a little bit more impressive.

[Amin Elhassan]

Let him finish, though. I like this. He's organizing it.

[Stugotz]

But by that formula, by that very formula that mean has laid out for us.

[Chris Cote]

Thank you.

[Stugotz]

I think the Bulls over Lakers was more impressive.

[Mike Ryan]

So we're claiming this is the biggest choke ever.

[Stugotz]

We're coming in here also suggesting maybe Bulls, Lakers, in a meaningless regular season game was probably bigger.

[Chris Cote]

Tracy McGrady, 13 points in 30 seconds. I watched that game live, and I remember thinking, this game's over. And every time he kept. Every time he kept making a shot, I was like, all right, come on, this is ridiculous. When that last turnover happened, I can't remember the little guard's name. Brown. I think Brown slips and turns it over, and Tracy's bringing the ball up, and everyone was like, oh my God. Is this about to happen? Is this about to happen? It was Devin Brown. And then Tracy pulls up from like 30ft and then the shot goes in and everyone loses their. Oh man. I might have to put that one above. I might have to put that one above last night.

[Mike Ryan]

I want to do analysis of greatest chokes ever. I also want to point out to stugats that I just saw on the television that when the knicks were up 14 with 3 minutes and 44 seconds left, the win probability for them in that spot was 99.8%.

[Jeremy Tache]

Pretty good.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't know which is the bigger choke though, in the rivalry between these two teams. Like, are you guys telling me, you guys are telling me that you think years from now in a game one in a, in an Eastern Conference finals that we're going to do a 30 for 30 and, and associate somewhat Hallibur, like we associate Reggie Miller for all time with, with those nine seconds?

[Chris Cote]

Well, hold on. I just want to point out something because I'm looking at that same stat you just mentioned. 99.8% win probability with 344 left up 14. That doesn't sound right. That sounds like a typo that like 99.8% for a 14 point lead with almost four minutes to go. How about that can't be right.

[Stugotz]

How about the stat that they had under that? Yeah, There was a five minute span in which the Pacers scored 40 points in five minutes. They outscored them 40 to 24.

[Amin Elhassan]

What are we doing here?

[Chris Cote]

That can't be right either.

[Jeremy Tache]

No, they added overtime.

[Stugotz]

They would have added it said in five minutes. They outscored them 40 to 24.

[Amin Elhassan]

I'm with him.

[Mike Ryan]

I mean, you think 99.8% is a very large percentage. You think it should be 99.9%?

[Chris Cote]

You don't understand what I'm saying. I'm saying lower. 344 left of 14. That number sounds completely erroneous.

[Mike Ryan]

It's too high, you're saying Way too high. My bad.

[Chris Cote]

Like Jim Ursay.

[Amin Elhassan]

Power too soon.

[Chris Cote]

We're that show now.

[Greg Cote]

Don't put that on us.

[Chris Cote]

Just lack of class. Those levitard guys.

[Stugotz]

Dan wouldn't understand this. He's busy running a content circus. But if you're actually running a business, then you know, no. Hiring the right people isn't just important, it's everything. And that's why LinkedIn jobs is an absolute game changer for small business owners. You're juggling payroll, logistics, maybe even mopping the floors before you open. You don't have time for flaky resumes, ghosted interviews, or job boards that feel like a black hole. When it's time to hire, you need a partner who grinds just like you. LinkedIn. They don't sleep. You clock out. They clock in. They'll help you write the job post quickly and clearly promote it. You'll get three times more qualified applicants. Not a guess. Real Data. And once it's live, LinkedIn helps you amplify it by sharing it with your network. You can even add that hiring frame to your profile, which doubles the number of qualified candidates you're likely to see. This is built for business owners who care about getting it right. Post your job for [e-mail] dls that's LinkedIn.com dls to post your job for free, terms and conditions apply.