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Mike Ryan
Hey folks, it's Mike Ryan. And if you're watching our show, you probably know and your boy has undergone a little bit of a body transformation. And I gotta tell you, Peloton has helped me on my fitness journey. It got the ball rolling for me because I watch my wife on the Peloton. She takes all these great classes. She has her favorite instructors. I listen to the music, I'm a big music guy. Gets me fired up. Makes me want to take part in this fitness phenomenon known as Peloton. Peloton offers a variety of challenging classes, from four week strength building classes to running, cycling and everything in between. Peloton will help you achieve your goals and maybe you'll have some fun along the way. I know I have it's backed by thousands of members whose lives have been changed. Be part of that group, telling you I'm better for it. Have it in my office. Sometimes I can put on the baseball game. Sometimes I can put on a soccer match. Some other times I'm totally locked in on an emo playlist. Find your push, find your power with.
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Dan Le Batard
This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugats podcast.
Stugotz
This episode is presented by Smirnoff. We do game days. Please drink responsibly. The Smirnoff Company New York, New York again.
Dan Le Batard
J.J. redick said that the T Wolves physically caught them off guard. They were not prepared for the for the te Wolves being physical. I thought them being in a basketball uniform was a first certitude, but the second one was they were going to be bigger than the Lakers.
J.J. Redick
I mean, they got a guy who's 7 foot 2 who's a defensive player of the year. On the other side, you and they're going to be very physical.
Dan Le Batard
It's weird, is it not? Is it just because you have to say something or is it because suddenly in playoff basketball it became even more physical than it was before?
Chris Cody
I mean, JJ talked for a living. Now he Motivates for a living and coach for a living. You got to come up with something better. If that's something to say. It's not. Hey, we didn't realize how physical they were going to be.
Jeremy
Yeah, it's like the only thing that you know about the Timberwolves is that they're going to be physical. So it must just be his way of calling out his team. Right. Of saying, clearly, these guys, I knew that we were going to be physical, but they clearly didn't know how physical it was going to get.
J.J. Redick
Yeah, but wouldn't there have been a point, like, in the middle of the game, in a huddle, in a timeout huddle? It's like you got to match their physicality. Like, wouldn't you do it in the middle of the game? If he's waiting to motivate his team, why would you wait till after the game?
Dan Le Batard
The reason I'm more interested in it is because of how obvious it is. Oh, they did. Not me. Them. And not just them, my team, players, employees. Them because they're soft. Them because Minnesota was more wolfy. Right.
J.J. Redick
That's what he should have said. They were too wolfy for us.
Dan Le Batard
That would have been better. It would have been funnier than the way that he did it. Because. Do you. Do you really think that the Lakers, that the. They went into that playoff game and they got surprised by the physical nature of Minnesota or Minnesota? The second half of the season has probably been better than the Lakers, and there are some matchup issues that the Lakers have when it comes to what they traded for that can be exposed by this particular set of ingredients, more so than most.
Jeremy
We'll see how Reddick is as a coach by how long the series goes. Because this. This oddly feels like one where the two teams are juxtaposed against each other in such different ways with such different styles that it feels like one of those six or seven game series where there's never a close game, like, where the Lakers can come back here and win by 20 because they have the firepower with Luka and LeBron, but. But then the next game, Minnesota comes back and punks them. It just. It has the makings of one of those types of series. If JJ can figure out what that quick adjustment is to. To spark their offense.
J.J. Redick
The thing that would worry me the most, or that does worry me the most about the Lakers, it's not like. It's not like Anthony Edwards had this dominant type of game. Well, Anthony Edwards took over. Couldn't stop him. That's not at all what took place there. Like, maybe. All right, Minnesota won game one. They. They wanted in your building, and Anthony Edwards couldn't stop him. That's. That's not what took place.
Stugotz
If you said to me, who in sports looks like when they were young their mom was a notary, I'd say J.J. redick. Oh, yeah, J.J. redick was the kid. Like, you need that notarized? Yeah, my mom can do that.
Dan Le Batard
Grayson Allen. Oh, it's going to be all the guys. Yeah, it's going to be Christian Laitner. It's going to be all of them. All of the annoyance. Grant Williams. Him too.
Chris Cody
Peyton Pritchard.
Stugotz
See what you did there?
Dan Le Batard
We all did.
Chris Cody
The tough part, too, is like, the Lakers wasted a really great Luca game where LeBron and Austin Reeves kind of didn't match Luca's intensity and Luca's game into that first. Into that first one of the series. And it's like, how are they supposed to fill the. The. The needs that they were going to address with the Mark Williams trade that ended up not happening? They didn't really play Jackson Hayes that much either. And it's like, Minnesota's so big and so physical that their front line, the Lakers, they don't have that to match up.
Dan Le Batard
My analysis of this, the moment they traded for Luca was, well, they're going. The Lakers are now going to add Luka. That's going to immediately, immediately make them. When you make it, Luca and the oldest player in the league, the worst defense in the sport. And then what happened for about 12 games is no.
Mike Ryan
Vanderbilt.
Dan Le Batard
Vanderbilt. And I'm like, against the T Wolves that you're going to try to flog the T Wolves with Vanderbilt. Okay, that seems like a good way for the whole LeBron thing to end and collapse on its knees if that's the way that you're going to do it. And I know we can overact, overreact to one game, but we've been covering the holy hell out of the Lakers this year. And Minnesota came in and flogged them in their place. And everyone knows Minnesota would have exactly the kind of legs you would need to flog a team that's old guy and hookah guy. Like, what do I need to do? What do I need? And white guy. Yeah. What are you gonna hit me with?
Stugotz
Those are tricky.
Dan Le Batard
And when you. And then you come the most white with the white school, Vanderbilt. And it's like, ah, ah.
J.J. Redick
What if J.J. reddick got to the microphone of the postgame press conference? Like, we got Flogged better than not being able to match physicality. Right?
Chris Cody
It would be better we talk about it more.
Jeremy
I feel like for the Lakers to win this series, they're going to have to shoot like 50 threes a game because they just don't have anywhere near the size that Minnesota has.
Dan Le Batard
Don't threaten Luke and LeBron.
Jeremy
It'd be great. That's what they should be doing. They took 42 threes in that game or 41 threes in that game. I think that number needs to go even higher for them to even have a chance.
Chris Cody
The difference was that Minnesota hit 50% of their threes. They hit 21 and they were just taking open shots, right? Like there was just Jaden McDaniels did whatever he wanted, went 11 for 13, and it was like, oh, there's another open shot. Oh, transition. Oh, another open shot. The Lakers defense was just abysmal.
Stugotz
The Lakers need an assistant coach who cares as much as Jeff Van Gundy. That's what they need if they're going to win.
Dan Le Batard
Let's see this here. Jeff Van Gundy back, back in the middle of the mix here. Let's go ahead and play that B roll of Jokic and Jeff Van Gundy in the center. Yes, Jeff Van Gundy. Look at that. Yes, that's very strong.
J.J. Redick
It' Spider man. How is he gripping the ball?
Chris Cody
There's four. I see four hands on that ball. Who's the assistant coach to the left, to the right over there.
Stugotz
This other assistant coach is mad today because he put himself out there, but everyone's just focusing on Jeff Van Gundy.
Mike Ryan
Of course.
Dan Le Batard
Now I do understand that you're impressed by the Van Gundy core strength there and arm strength. I will remind you, he is lifted full off the seat by Jokic trying to take the basketball from him. Van Gundy is levitating. His ass is no longer on a chair. That's a 200 pound man who has been. I understand that you. I understand that you're looking at that and saying, good grip by Jeff Van Gundy, but I will remind you, he just lifted a 200 pound weight. Jokic just lifted it and easily.
Stugotz
Now what he's doing there is what a lot of the league thinks, right? Isn't this the thing with the Nuggets that they think they cheat when it comes to balls out of bounds. Like Jokic in particular, he likes to get the ball, start a fast break. So I think this is Jeff Van Gundy attempting to slow down the fast break.
J.J. Redick
Yeah, the Thunder, the, the Thunder came Up with a thing where I think it was the Thunder.
Stugotz
Yeah. They try to sub someone.
J.J. Redick
Yeah. Every time there was an out of bounds play that goes to the Nuggets, there was a guy designated on their bench. He was to automatically run to the scores table. And so the referee says, ho, ho, can't inbound yet. And. And they. So the league is looking out for that. And so Van Gundy there, no hesitation.
Stugotz
By the way, because that seems like a job of the assistant coach throughout the week, preparing. He's like, hey, they like to speed up the ball. Let's if. Hey, if it. He even said in a meeting, he's like, if the ball comes to me, I'm stopping it. You know, I'll stop it. And he had to. He had to let. He had to be about that talk. It couldn't just be about. What am I trying to say here? He had. He's about that action.
Dan Le Batard
Okay. Yeah, but it didn't. All heavy tongue. Cody in the mix right there.
Stugotz
You don't want to hear what I did that last segment.
Chris Cody
No, we do actually.
Stugotz
We have a bad one from last segment.
Dan Le Batard
Okay. Find them both. Mix them together and find a way to. Yes. Figure out a way for me to hear both of them remix. You're going to give us the last one.
Stugotz
This first one brings me incredible shame.
Jeremy
Like this is me.
Stugotz
This is bad.
Dan Le Batard
Hold on.
Stugotz
I don't even want to play it well.
Dan Le Batard
Let's just not play it well, but let's play it. No, I think we should after my voice instead of yours. Instead of yours. Okay. Be an executive producer that knows what he's doing and play it after my voice.
Stugotz
Pablo, you and three other people.
Dan Le Batard
Your dream, my mouth.
Stugotz
Dream, dream. Living or dead. Thank you to Dan and Pablo there for kind of drowning me out. But I was like trying to find the word for like your dream foursome, but for weed. I was like your dream rotation but your dream guest.
Jeremy
Come on.
Stugotz
And it was just. This is bad. Pablo, you and three other people.
Dan Le Batard
Your dream, my mouth dream watering dream living. Your dad.
Stugotz
Damn. That's your fault.
Dan Le Batard
Did you dream? It is my fault. Damn it. I'm like dream Jimmy John's could have had the best.
Stugotz
Pablo, you and three other people.
Dan Le Batard
Your dream, my mouth dream watering dream.
Stugotz
Living or dead.
Dan Le Batard
Jimmy John's must be so proud that they come on dreamland.
Jeremy
Your dream ga.
Stugotz
Your dream that.
Dan Le Batard
Get the other one as well. So that heavy tongue.
Stugotz
You and three like one's enough.
Dan Le Batard
No, I need one's enough. I need both of them.
Stugotz
You and Three other people.
Dan Le Batard
Your dream, my mouth.
Stugotz
Living or dead.
Dan Le Batard
Please, please figure out a way before the end of the segment. I want that edited to get me out of there. So I think it is. I think it is. I think there. It is possible that we can edit the me out of there so we can just hear what it would have sounded if I had not interrupted you with an obviously watering mouth.
Stugotz
Pablo, you and three other people.
Dan Le Batard
Your dream, My mouth.
Stugotz
Dream. Watering. Living or dead? Like a lot of these, I'm like, all right, this is just me. I'm doing a thing.
Dan Le Batard
This is.
Stugotz
I hate this.
Dan Le Batard
Okay, so go.
Stugotz
I hate you.
Dan Le Batard
Just.
Jeremy
He knew he was in trouble.
Stugotz
When dream came out, he was like, dream your dream. Pablo, you and three other people.
Dan Le Batard
Your dream, my mouth dream. Watering.
Stugotz
Living or dead?
Dan Le Batard
Halliburton and Damian Lillard going at it yesterday. Stugatz has left Toothache. He's got a toothache. He was not joking. He was wandering around the parking lot. I'm not making what I'm about to say up. Okay, you guys, tell me whether or not you think that this is weird, because I told you earlier this morning, he. He came, and I can feel because he was chewing on bacon, the greasiness and the crunch, the audible crunch of someone who was telling me that they had a toothache so bad they might have to leave early while chewing crunchy bacon. That's what I got this morning. Just now, he left in the parking lot and he told me, dan, it's too much. I got to get out of here. My mouth's a real mess. I've got to. I've got something that I've got to get to. To with. It's an emergency. And he's smoking a cigarette. Like, the smoke is going in and out of his mouth in a way that would seem to be less than healthy. And so he has now. He is now left with a toothache. And I believe. I honestly believe this. I believe that professional critics. Dugat's 20 years as a titan in this industry. I believe we are in jeopardy of him missing the draft. With a toothache like that, it might escalate to. He's a professional critic of the toughness of others. And during the most important time of year, he will not be available to work because he's got a toothache.
Jeremy
He's got smoke going through a little hole in his tooth as he's smoking that cigarette, and it's coming back out the other side.
Stugotz
The tooth is smoking.
Dan Le Batard
It's not healthy. Put it on the pole. Put it on the pole at Levitard show do stugats. His teeth smoke individual cigarettes themselves.
Stugotz
The visual of a little hand on the. On each tooth has a little tiny cigarette.
J.J. Redick
They're all French smoke is coming out out of his mouth. What's going on there? He's like, oh, one of my teeth must be smart.
Dan Le Batard
I believe, I believe, I believe the draft. His draft coverage is now in jeopardy because he did seem to be in legitimate pain, and he doesn't take very good underrated pain. He doesn't take very good care of himself. But the Milwaukee Bucks. I think a lot of people watching right now, the Milwaukee Bucks are assuming they break up after this year if they get eliminated quickly and embarrassingly in the first round. And we're going to have a bit of difficulty with the legacy of Giannis because of the one year where he ends up getting to the championship, and we're all going to be like another person in that region. Aaron Rodgers was really good for a long time and probably should have won more than once if. If he's as great as I think he is.
J.J. Redick
And that was a weird year to remember because the COVID season ended in, like, October, September, and then the new season started in, like, November. It was a weird year that they ended up essentially capitalizing on. Not a lot of people in the arenas either. You know, it wasn't full attendance or anything like that. Yeah, it was a weird year. They won his only win.
Jeremy
It's weird that they haven't been better around him because he has been dominant every single. Oh, but he's been dominant every single season of his career. And even in the postseason, he's been great at this point. I mean, listen to this list. This is going to be his seventh consecutive season finishing in the top four in MVP voting. That joins Michael Jordan, LeBron, Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson.
Dan Le Batard
Great. Indisputably great.
Chris Cody
And the funny thing is this season is probably his best season ever. And it doesn't matter. He's distant third in the mvp.
J.J. Redick
But all of those guys you just mentioned there multiple championships.
Dan Le Batard
Right, Right.
Jeremy
But that would be the point about how the Bucks have potentially failed building around. Well, let's.
Dan Le Batard
Let's talk about architecture, because let's. Here's Kyle Kuzma stat line. And this was the reinforcement at the trade deadline. This is Kyle Kuzma. I think I can say this. Can I say this without dilution?
J.J. Redick
Go on.
Dan Le Batard
I don't want to say it because of it. It just seems cruel. But when I think of Kyle Kuzma, I'm like, ah, yes, professional loser. Like somebody who loses professionally for the audio audience.
Stugotz
His stat line yesterday, 22 minutes 0 of 5 from the field. Oh, of 2 from the free throw line. 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0bl0 steel here.
Dan Le Batard
I feel bad about this part, right? Because what I think of with Kyle Kuzma, I'm like, oh, yeah, famous influencer, great at the fashion of basketball. And I am not trusting you in the fourth quarter with any of this, sir. Like, I don't. I don't believe you will play this game correctly if we're not doing the whole Instagram influencer thing.
Jeremy
Wait, Stu Gotz's tooth is on the screen and it looks sad. Smoking a cigarette. That's the best part.
J.J. Redick
Because it's.
Jeremy
It's exhausted by how often it has to smoke cigarettes on behalf of Stugot's.
Dan Le Batard
Exhaust being the key word. They're just smoking right out of his mouth.
Jeremy
Dan's a writer.
Dan Le Batard
Professional. You understand what I'm saying, though? In terms of the league, the Wizards have a particular kind of stench on them, right? Like you're not even. Charlotte doesn't get this. The thing that I'm talking about, Charlotte is a professional loser of a franchise. One of the things that I love talking about with the Clippers is the Clippers have always been that. So this is kind of confusing to see them have a legitimate, not laughing, stock chance at the championship. But when I think right now, and I don't know if I'm doing this because of the Harlem Globetrotters, they always played against the opposite loser by, you know, typecasting. The Washington Generals were the biggest loser franchise ever. I assuse I associate Kyle Kuzma with losing basketball back when the Lakers were less interesting. And wherever it is that he ends up and then he ends up in Washington, I'm like, you trade for that. When the Heat. We're talking about trading for that, I'm like, that's not going to help anybody do anything.
J.J. Redick
So you just. You skip, right? I agree with what you're saying, but you're also skipping right over him being a 2020 NBA champion.
Dan Le Batard
I know.
Chris Cody
Was just about to mention that.
Dan Le Batard
I know I am doing that, but.
J.J. Redick
I agree with you.
Dan Le Batard
How is that? The reason that I'm presenting it to all of you is because look at what I'm doing. It's not. It's not even fair. And also inaccurate.
Chris Cody
It feels like he played for the Wizards for 15 years, but all of.
Dan Le Batard
Them, it felt like they were losing 143 games a season. Like, they'd leave their own three every time they played. You'd lose three bets on just. They lost that game three times. How did they do that? They were only playing one game. They played a triple header of losses.
J.J. Redick
How is it possible? It's one thing to play three minutes and you have zeros across the board. How is it possible to have zeros everywhere? In 22 minutes, he didn't even have a turnover. I don't think he had nothing.
Chris Cody
How does Fantasma.
J.J. Redick
How is that Actually, let's applaud him.
Stugotz
No turnovers. Like, what do we get?
Dan Le Batard
No fouls.
Chris Cody
Yeah, no, nothing.
Dan Le Batard
Just.
Chris Cody
Just stood. Just like, against the spread.
Dan Le Batard
The box score, if not for the number under minutes, would not be historical proof that Kuzma had played in that game. There would be no evidence. You couldn't. A team of detectives and forensic investigators looking through the history books would have had no evidence that he played in a game to help Giannis.
Stugotz
Do you think he's aware of it because he had two free throw attempts? I'm picturing, like, in like, 17 minutes in, he's like, all right, these two free throw attempts. This is big. I need. If I don't make these.
Dan Le Batard
Oh, but that is proof, though. I stand corrected. There's a number in the box score there. It's the two free throws that prove he's not an apparition. He is not a ghost. He's simply Kyle Kuzma. Not going to help you at the trade deadline.
Stugotz
And over five from the field. So, like, he existed.
J.J. Redick
He did have two fouls.
Mike Ryan
Oh.
Dan Le Batard
Oh. Now my box score is ruined. I thought it was just zero.
Jeremy
Chris Livingston played one minute in that game and recorded a rebound, so he had more of an impact in his one minute. At the very end, Livingston leaves the.
Stugotz
Game like Jeremy Little fist pump. Got that? I did it.
Dan Le Batard
But Halliburton and Dame, you guys make fun of me because I'm rooting for a Clippers Pacers, finally. Because the Pacers are fun and I really like the Clippers. But Halliburton and Dame, the whole Lillard thing hasn't quite gone the way that that was supposed to.
Chris Cody
It's weird because you figure with those two guys, like they were at one point when. When Lillard was healthy, they were the highest scoring duo in the NBA. And then obviously the blood clots and things change. But for me, I don't like when a guy is on the bench in a Louis Vuitton sweater and then has something to Say to the best player on the other team, it's like, buddy, you're on the bench.
Stugotz
What's the backstory? Why does Dame not like Haliburton? Is there anything there other than just trying?
J.J. Redick
I think Halliburton was just talking during the game and then he told him I'm a bust.
Jeremy
Yes, a lot of people don't like the way Halliburton talks because it's rare. It's. Yeah, well, there's. He has like seven different voices. But it's also that he mostly, you notice, only talks if they're like up 25 and he's not a big talker when they're losing and that was exposed last year.
Stugotz
Talks when they're losing.
Dan Le Batard
The best time to talk.
Stugotz
Who talks, Buddy?
Jeremy
Solely when it's, hey, I can point at the scoreboard behind me and they're sort of saying like the. The best guys are trash talking all game long when it's close. Right. When that game is close and are able to pull away late. And a lot of the time what ends up happening is it's not until the Pacers have already run away with it at least is, you know what people are saying.
Chris Cody
And the great part is it's going to be like, oh, you're going to see when I'm out there. You're going to see. No, no, you're going to see.
Dan Le Batard
I'm going to show you.
Chris Cody
No, I'm going to show you when I get out there that I'm going to show you what. I'm going to show you the show off.
Dan Le Batard
How about that?
Jeremy
What a shame for Dame.
J.J. Redick
I'm a bust your ass.
Chris Cody
Thank you.
Mike Ryan
Hey, folks, it's Mike Ryan. And if you're watching our show, you probably know your boy has undergone a little bit of a body transformation. And I gotta tell you, Peloton has helped me on my fitness journey. It got the ball rolling for me because I watch my wife on the Peloton. She takes all these great classes. She has her favorite instructors. I listen to the music, I'm a big music guy. Gets me fired up. Makes me want to take part in this fitness phenomenon known as Peloton. Peloton offers a variety of challenging classes, from four week strength building classes to running, cycling and everything in between. Peloton will help you achieve your goals and maybe you'll have some fun along the way. I know I have. It's backed by thousands of members whose lives have been changed. Be part of that group, telling you I'm better for it. Have it in my office. Sometimes I can put on the baseball game, sometimes I can put on a soccer match. Some other times I'm totally locked in on an emo playlist. Find your push, find your power with peloton@1peloton.com.
Jeremy
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Stugotz
Folks, the time has come to get some new golf clubs and that means one thing. Heading over to my local PXG store for fitting. They make the best golf clubs. I'm telling you guys, I went there. In and out. Efficient, the nicest staff if you need to improve your golf game, if you want to scratch strokes off your score, go to pxg. Get a fitting instantly. The irons fit so perfectly. You get fitted.
Jeremy
It's quick.
Stugotz
As soon as I got home with my clubs, I go to the range. I'm telling you, I gave away my old clubs. PXG is where it's at guys. If you need to change your golf game, the fastest way to improve your performance on the golf course is PXG fitting. The PXG fitters are highly trained, incredibly experienced, and have a deep understanding of how to optimize your clubs to get the most out of your swing. Their fittings, they're educational, they're fun. Schedule your fitting today and for a limited time, you can save up to 20 off your entire order. Head to pxg.com dan that's pxg.com dan to save up to 20 on your entire order. Pxg.com dan restrictions apply. C site for details. Don Lebatard I mean, they used to call me Chris. Karaoke stugats.
Dan Le Batard
That back row is bringing it today.
Chris Cody
This is the Dan lebatar show with the Stugats.
Dan Le Batard
Okay, I need some sort of trash talk police. I need some, some something that picks up the trash. This is all silliness. We're going to talk about whether Halliburton should talk. Up 25, up 12 or down 4. Very few people talk trash down. I, I Jimmy did against Giannis in playoff game. That makes some people like Zaslo think that bad news is coming up for the Cavs. This guy thinks right here. This guy. This guy feels bad for Cavs fans today.
J.J. Redick
Heter winning Wednesday. He didn't win Wednesday. Wednesday's game two.
Jeremy
They won game two last year against Boston with the worst team.
J.J. Redick
Put a scare into them. That's right. Heater winning game two.
Chris Cody
Want to make a wager on that?
Stugotz
Wait, we were a worst team last year with Jimmy.
Jeremy
Jimmy didn't play in the postseason.
Stugotz
Oh, he was hurt.
Jeremy
You guys remember that one? Remember how he got hurt?
Stugotz
Thought I caught play. I thought I.
Dan Le Batard
You didn't though. You're having a hell of a day. Old old heavy tongue turned around to get Jeremy in and exploded in his face a big exploding cigar.
Stugotz
Pablo. You and three other people. Your dream.
Dan Le Batard
My mouth watering dream.
Stugotz
Live, living or dead. Never been happier to hear Dan and Pablo talk.
Dan Le Batard
Yeah, I ruined that. Pablo ruined it. Can you get me the other one though? Cuz I think the one this hour is just as bad.
Stugotz
You know they're not grabbing it. I told him to grab.
Dan Le Batard
Please, please hurry up and grab that as fast as you possibly can. I need some. I need some more ammunition at Chris Cody's expense.
Jeremy
Giannis had two starting teammates in this game. Play 20 minutes or more and not score. That feels impossible. Two starters that played over 20 minutes and again just goose egg. Offensively, the rest of the starters combined for 14 points and five of them were from Ryan Hollins.
J.J. Redick
But you're confident though that Doc Rivers will figure it out?
Dan Le Batard
I. I do think that. What kind of laugh was that? I do think that Chris Middleton and Drew Holiday were kind of important to what it is that Giannis was doing. That one strange year that he won a championship over the toenail of Kevin Durant.
J.J. Redick
It's a perfect situation, though, for Lillard. Like Lillard's gonna show up and get. If the Bucks win game two. Lillard is a hero coming back to Milwaukee for game three. Perfect win, win situation for Damian Lillard.
Dan Le Batard
When he returns again, though, when. When trying to place the legacy of Giannis in the middle of this time. When you've got Jokic over there and you. You've just got a real mastery of the sport for you got Steph Curry over there. Giannis, I will remind you that Chris Whittingham very definitively said that Giannis forevermore could never be a number one and win a championship. He would forever have to be a number two.
Chris Cody
It's kind of turned out in these playoffs, Giannis is probably the NBA's best number two, because I think it's kind of been determined that he can't be your one. Like, in terms of his specific skill set and the areas of the game in which he struggles, you can't rely upon him to get baskets at the end. And who was. Can everybody. Because I don't remember. Guys, I want to just make sure that I'm remembering correctly. Who was the number one he was talking about?
Dan Le Batard
Middleton.
Chris Cody
Chris Middleton plays for whom now? I mean, 973 wizards.
Dan Le Batard
The loser Wizards.
J.J. Redick
I mean, I also remember Whittingham saying, Matthew Kachuk. It's all empty stats.
Stugotz
Not a good year for. They went to the stand like a final growing.
Dan Le Batard
How does he keep failing his way up in our business? Like, these are epically wrong takes.
Chris Cody
He's great at soccer. The problem. He sucks at everything else, apparently.
Dan Le Batard
Put it on the pole, please. That Levitard show is Whittingham great at soccer, but he sucks at everything else? Evidently.
Chris Cody
Everything's wrong.
Dan Le Batard
Giannis is number one. It is. Is. It's not just wrong. It's wildly wrong. It's like saying, you know, the X factor is in that Bucks Pacer series in Game 1. Kyle Kuzma.
Chris Cody
But you probably would have said, by the way, if you're still here, can I.
Dan Le Batard
Can I ask you guys, though, when. Because it's not fair. I don't God career. Just calling someone a professional loser. It feels wrong to me, but I'm just admitting a private inner thought, honestly, and I'm not comfortable with myself doing it. It's just a reflex I have that I'm looking at somebody who's a champion. And I'm still saying that that person Is not a champion, loses at basketball games. Is it. Is this is the stench and the stain of the Wizards that bad for me right now that I'm going to do it to anybody in the world?
J.J. Redick
I also think there's a major difference in the way that you said it the first time, because first you said he's a professional loser, which sounds really awful. And then you follow it up. It's less bad when you say he's a loser. Professionally. Professional loser is.
Dan Le Batard
I'm not okay with either of them, frankly. And I'm like trying to. I'm trying to walk it back right now as we speak, because it felt wrong coming out. But I am being honest with you. When I say this team has Kyle Kuzma, what's going to happen? Well, they're going to lose.
Jeremy
Except kind of recently they didn't.
Dan Le Batard
Except for the time they won the whole thing. And I'm like, yeah, but he didn't really have anything to do with it. He was. He was milling about the way that he was in that Bucks playoff game. It just. He was. He wasn't doing. Against the spread. No, I don't know why you.
Jeremy
No, I did see a box score from that Lakers series where he had 20 something minutes and two points. So close.
Dan Le Batard
I. Look, this is what I'm saying to you guys publicly and privately. I'm perfectly willing for you guys to tell me, dan, you are so very wrong. Look at all of these amazing times that Kyle Kuzma won. I have no recollection of Kuzma winning anything ever. And even when he won, according to you guys, allegedly, I've put it in my memory bank as a loss. It does it. Him winning the championship does not exist anywhere in my Kuzma library as something that's jubilant at the end that loses.
J.J. Redick
He was pretty bad in the finals against the Heat. I'm looking at his numbers right now. He was pretty bad. Shot 35% for the series.
Stugotz
He was one of those guys, he'd start and then just like go out and not come back in.
Jeremy
But his highest scoring postseason game was in a loss to the Miami heat in that NBA Finals with 19 points.
J.J. Redick
When the Lakers clinch this. Clinch the championship. He scored two points that night.
Stugotz
Yeah, that's right.
Dan Le Batard
Okay, I. Again, I will publicly apologize and privately to Kyle Kuzma at another time. I'm going to re. I'm going to gather myself and think, rethink my position and see if I have to offer a public apology.
J.J. Redick
Awfully similar stat line in that game six. They won the championship to 22 minutes. Also two points, one rebound, nothing else.
Chris Cody
What do you want him to do? Guys, he had LeBron, he had AD.
Dan Le Batard
He's like, Guys, you got something would be the answer.
Chris Cody
No, something. Yesterday he did nothing.
Dan Le Batard
He did.
Jeremy
He scored double digit points in 12 different playoff games in his NBA career. I can't imagine the list of guys who have done that is actually that high. That's a guy who's had a lot of success.
J.J. Redick
That doesn't sound like it to me.
Jeremy
A lot of people double digit points in 12 or more playoff games. That's a, you know, double digit.
Dan Le Batard
That's. They're 0 and 12 in those games. Yes.
Jeremy
Let me look that up.
Dan Le Batard
Please look up there. They must they lose 17 times in those 12 games because that's how I remember it. Zaslo has your family. This I. Someone's going to have to explain to me as I have aged out as someone who doesn't have children and is in his 50s, the Minecraft phenomenon that has teenage boys scaring a lot of people at movie theaters, bringing in live chickens and an assortment of things that the theater industry needs some life, need some energy. I don't think if they want live chickens to be part of that energy. There are a lot of strange videos, unruly videos, making their way on the Internet with live chickens and other things.
J.J. Redick
Chicken Jockey.
Dan Le Batard
Are your kids participating?
J.J. Redick
So this Minecraft movie, right? There's apparently a scene in the movie where look what a chicken jockey, all right, is on the screen. That's a live chicken that person is holding right there. That is a live chicken.
Stugotz
Somebody on someone else's shoulders in the theater holding up a live chicken.
Dan Le Batard
So that's right. So there was a person holding another person who was holding a chick chicken up in the air. There was a chicken in the air and there was a person in the air.
J.J. Redick
Chicken jockey. So everybody apparently goes crazy during this one scene in the Minecraft movie. So my son, my 16, I got two teenage boys, my 16 year old son, he doesn't care about Minecraft, but he cares about chaos. I mean he and his friends, they are engineers of chaos. And my 16 year old son went with like a dozen of his friends to go to Chicken Jockey to go to the Minecraft movie. And they waited for the scene, the scene happens. They're throwing things everywhere. There's soda on the screen. And my son, my son bought a rotisserie chicken from Publix, snuck it into the theater and backpack and during the chicken jockey Scene. He took out the chicken and ran around the theater holding a rotisserie chicken over his head. During the movie, he got thrown out.
Stugotz
Man, I would have loved to been there. I'd have been like, let me get a wing. Is he handing out, like, pieces of the chicken?
Dan Le Batard
Like, delicious chicken? Oh, it's good chicken.
J.J. Redick
Running around with a rotisserie chicken over his head.
Stugotz
That's better than the live chicken that this other person I'm with. Your son did it, right?
Dan Le Batard
It's better than the live chicken. Yes. Your son did that, right?
Stugotz
I think his son had two options.
Dan Le Batard
A son. Son cannot be permitted to behave this way in public.
Stugotz
Everyone's doing it. If I'm at a movie where no one else is doing it and I'm running around with a chicken. Rotisserie chicken.
J.J. Redick
It's a nice theater, too.
Dan Le Batard
Are you ashamed of your son?
J.J. Redick
Yeah, because it's probably a picture of him. The front of the theater at Daniel Point. Don't let this get in.
Jeremy
Ooh, nice theater.
Chris Cody
How was it called to the Zazlow Mansion?
J.J. Redick
How does.
Dan Le Batard
What? How does.
Chris Cody
How was the call to the Zazzle Mansion?
J.J. Redick
Oh, there was nothing to call. I mean, he drives like you got kicked out. Out where they want.
Chris Cody
Nobody said anything to him.
Stugotz
Does he get home with pride or shame?
J.J. Redick
Yeah, he. He was proud of himself. Yeah.
Dan Le Batard
Okay. What are you in for, kid chicken jockey? Yeah. Let's think about this for a second. He was proud. This is as close as Zaslow gets to the advisory warning. The parental sticker on the hip hop albums. His son running around with a rotisserie chicken over his head and kicked out of a theater. Zaslo's son banned from Dania Theater. That's it. That is as gangster as my wi fi right there.
Stugotz
I do feel bad for the staff, because the end of this, there's popcorn everywhere.
Dan Le Batard
Do you really? Yes. Because. Because it's totally lawless.
Stugotz
Well, that's. The popcorn, to me, is more offensive. Like, bring your chickens, run around with your live chick. Not going to create the mess that popcorn is.
Jeremy
And the sodas sanitize the theater after a live chicken, is there? No.
Dan Le Batard
I'll put it on the pole at Lebatard. Show teenagers, they shouldn't be allowed to do anything like this. Teenagers are lawless. They. You cannot, cannot. You cannot allow teenagers to make the rules in a place where a mess shouldn't be made. Teenage boys, you cannot give them permission to run around with rotisserie chickens on their head. I don't mean to be the spoiler of Fun.
Stugotz
You really are like fun police here.
J.J. Redick
And it wasn't boys. It was one boy. It was my boy.
Dan Le Batard
Banned from the theater. Was anyone else banned from the theater?
J.J. Redick
They kicked the whole group out, but.
Dan Le Batard
But him for the chicken.
J.J. Redick
Yeah. It wouldn't have happened if he didn't run around with a rotisserie chicken holding above his head.
Dan Le Batard
He got all his friends. So years from now, this is going to be the legendary Zaslow family story on the rebellious young Zaslow, who got all his friends kicked out of the theater. Running around with a rotisserie chicken on his head.
J.J. Redick
He said when they got thrown out that the theater gave them a standing ovation. Though he did say that.
Jeremy
That badass moment at the Dania Point theater next to the anthropology and Menchie's frozen yolk yogurt.
Dan Le Batard
So worth it then. Zaslo. So when. When teenagers ask for forgiveness, not permission, he comes home, raised by his father, and what are the consequences? Yeah, like unruly teenage.
J.J. Redick
What am I supposed to say? I mean, like, it's so stupid. What was I. You got thrown out for what? You commit a crime? No, I held up a rotisserie chicken and I ran around the theaters. Like, what am I supposed to do with that information?
Dan Le Batard
I don't know. Discipline, consequences. You got banned from a theater? I don't know. Show better, Jud. I don't know. I'm not a parent. You tell me.
J.J. Redick
Funny. Funny's funny, right?
Chris Cody
How it is funny.
J.J. Redick
Funny's funny.
Jeremy
How old?
J.J. Redick
16.
Stugotz
Yeah.
Jeremy
I mean, Dan, there are a lot worse things a 16 year old boy could be doing than bringing a rotisserie chicken to a movie theater. So I think Zaz is in good shape as a parent.
Stugotz
It was uncooked. That would be dangerous.
Jeremy
Yeah.
Dan Le Batard
Over here.
Chris Cody
What is this guy?
Jeremy
This is great. I mean, I'm proud. I'm proud of him for that. That's the hijinks he's getting into.
Chris Cody
Riding out Zazzle's kid.
Jeremy
That's great. I'm not ratting him out. I'm saying that's a great thing.
Dan Le Batard
Jeremy, you are correct. There are indeed a lot worse things that a teenager could be doing than getting banned from a movie theater running around with a chicken on their head.
Stugotz
Also better things he could be doing, I would say.
Dan Le Batard
Also better things. I would just say that if I were that child's parent, not a lot more embarrassing things that my son can do. I will generally concede what you're saying. Jeremy is so. But now it's all on everybody. Buddy's Radar. Hey, Zaz's kid, you know what he does? He runs around movie theaters with chickens on his head.
Stugotz
I think this is a good cop, bad cop situation. One of the parents has to be, hey, don't do that. And the other one's got to go, hey, that's awesome, though. Give me a fist bump. Nice.
J.J. Redick
Both of us believe in funny is funny, and that's funny.
Dan Le Batard
Okay, then. Then. But you came in. Yuck. You were conveying embarrassment.
J.J. Redick
Oh, at first, of course. Yes.
Dan Le Batard
Okay, so the laughter dissolves you, and then the consequences disappear. Because as a father, father.
J.J. Redick
Funny's funny.
Dan Le Batard
Okay.
J.J. Redick
We have a rule in our house. We have a rule in the Saslow mansion.
Dan Le Batard
Would your wife think the same here? Because I think you think there's a version of funny that your wife does not.
J.J. Redick
We are. We are very similar in regard to things like that. Funny is funny. All right. We calm down. Like, all right. No. Anybody get hurt? Did the chicken attack somebody? No, because it wasn't a real chicken. It was rotisserie chicken. Funny's funny. All right.
Stugotz
As a parent, I feel like you like your son taking control there, being a leader of sorts.
J.J. Redick
Well, like that. He's not.
Stugotz
You could. You could have one. You could have a kid also. That's, like, at the movie theater with the other kids.
Dan Le Batard
What?
Stugotz
And he's just like, I don't want to do this.
J.J. Redick
He's not a follower. He's a leader.
Stugotz
Yeah, exactly.
J.J. Redick
That's important. That's an important trait.
Dan Le Batard
Dan, let me do. Let me do funny or not funny here. Okay, Let me. What's an important trait?
J.J. Redick
Being a leader, not a follower.
Dan Le Batard
Okay, but if you're in that spot.
Chris Cody
Being the kid, to be like, I'm going to get the rotisserie chicken. I don't have access to a live chicken, but I can get a rotisserie chicken.
Stugotz
Someone put in the group text, who can get the rotisserie chicken.
Dan Le Batard
Yeah.
J.J. Redick
And he probably young.
Stugotz
Zaslow was like, I got it.
Dan Le Batard
Yeah.
Stugotz
Initiative leader.
J.J. Redick
Initiative leader.
Dan Le Batard
Initiative. I will assign no fear any number of circumstances. I'll. I'll even give you that. Russell Westbrook at the end of that game, was not a loon. He was in attack mode, leading with championship match. What I will not do is that, say. Is say that Zaslo has raised a child bled so well that that child then did the pioneering, visionary, leading thing of putting a rotisserie chicken on his head and running around a theater. I'm not willing to assign leadership to that.
J.J. Redick
Stepped up in the moment, particularly if.
Jeremy
Originally, in the group chat, one of the kids says, hey, where can we get a live chicken? I want to bring a live chicken to this movie theater. Responsible, yes. It's reckless. It's irresponsible. I'm going to go to Publix. I'm going to pick up a rotisserie chicken. We're all going to get kicked out, but it's going to be in good fun. We're going to get a standing ovation.
J.J. Redick
Clean Fun leader and somebody already did the live chicken bit. I mean, the videos everywhere. I'm going to do the rotisserie chicken bit.
Dan Le Batard
Funny or not funny here, Jimmy Butler's outfit headed into the game. Is it headed into the game last night or.
Stugotz
Yeah, pregame.
Dan Le Batard
Let's see. See, funny or not funny, what we have here. Jimmy Butler has. I don't know what this is in the front. I don't.
J.J. Redick
Pocket.
Stugotz
Just a ridiculously oversized pocket.
Dan Le Batard
Well, but it's. It's in the center of his chest. It's as big. It goes from nipple to nipple. It is square. It looks like. What is it? A baby? Yeah.
Chris Cody
By the way, great fellow. I love Baby Bjorn.
J.J. Redick
Tell you what, you can.
Chris Cody
Anytime I put her in there, she just. She shits every time. Although it's great.
J.J. Redick
Tell you that pocket. Rotisserie chicken angle.
Stugotz
Could have snuck it in with that. That would have been good.
Jeremy
Bjornborg.
Dan Le Batard
So what is this, though? This is. So this is all muscle.
Stugotz
This is style.
Dan Le Batard
Sleeveless. It's style. But it. It. It's also carrying a bag. It's. There's a bag inside of a bag in there. Is that a hot water bottle that's in there. There's something I can see in there. What is. What is at the center of the bag? Inside of the bag that is draped like a necklace from Jimmy Butler's chest. There's something in there. You guys can see it. Yes.
Jeremy
Fred Van Fleet's missed field goals.
Dan Le Batard
It looks like a bottle of bleach. It looks like. What is that? What is happening there? There's. There's something there. Thank you for the investigative team zooming.
Stugotz
In you face, coffee.
Dan Le Batard
How about this? Funny or not funny, the Belichick lobster situation.
Stugotz
This is adorable.
Dan Le Batard
What? What? So this is you. You mentioned that this was better. Belichick's daughter. And then you corrected yourself because you were going subliminal there.
Stugotz
Rough day for me.
Dan Le Batard
Yep.
Stugotz
I was like. I mean, his girlfriend posted a picture and it's like lobster dinner. But it's not lobster.
Jeremy
It's.
Dan Le Batard
It's.
Stugotz
It's Strawberries, like designed in raspberries to look like a lobster. So they're having what might be a healthy ish meal, but they're calling.
Dan Le Batard
It's like dessert right there. That's very.
Chris Cody
For dinner.
Dan Le Batard
Ice cream. Well, that doesn't. I'm not. Is that dinner? That's dessert. That's ice cream and. And fruit.
Stugotz
Wait, can you please put that back up? Does. Does Bill also have the fun little lobster looking fruit setup?
Jeremy
I can't see it on that.
Chris Cody
Zoom in on his.
Dan Le Batard
Look at his face, though. He's not happy.
Stugotz
No, he's happy. He loves a good food game.
Dan Le Batard
No, but he's like, oh, this is not a lobster. Yeah, but no, but he. He does love a good food game. But he liked the food to be more decadent than this. He doesn't want it to be oat milk ice cream. Yeah, oat milk ice cream.
Jeremy
Iowa Hoodie wants. Or Iona.
Stugotz
I think it's Iona. I don't. I just kind of guessing.
Chris Cody
No, I think it's Iowa.
Stugotz
Let's get to the bottom of this.
Jeremy
Coach of Carolina.
Dan Le Batard
Let's get the sound, please. Chris, from this hour.
J.J. Redick
Oh, boy.
Dan Le Batard
I want to hear you stumbling through the finish line here. I thought that the one from this hour was better from. Than the one from last.
Stugotz
I'm not lying. They still haven't grabbed it, so.
Dan Le Batard
Okay, but I'm gonna wait here until they do. So we're just gonna sit here staring at each other until I hear it.
Stugotz
I have it in the post game.
Dan Le Batard
No, I'm just gonna stare at you until I hear it. Okay, let's get ready.
Stugotz
The segment's gonna end.
Dan Le Batard
No, that's okay. It's not gonna end is what I'm saying. I'm going to stare at you until you find it and then you're gonna play.
Stugotz
We're locked in, guys. You got it, guys, Please, please. All right. They'll have it in the post game. Good show, everyone.
Dan Le Batard
Gonna do it right here. Gonna just wait.
Stugotz
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Hey you in the audience, it's Mike. You've been a fan of this show, hopefully for a long time, and you know how much Miller Lite means to me. This partnership, it's real. It's documented. For almost 20 years, Miller Lite has been a partner of the Dan Levittard show estate. And now Miller Lite is celebrating its 50th anniversary. I've had so many great moments with Miller Lite, so many great activations, so many great events presented by Miller Lite. A great partner. Cheers to them. Cheers to 50 incredible years. And for you at home, you know that Miller Time always means a good time. From game night to parties with friends or a special anniversary, celebrating important occasions means more moments for the coolest people in your life. Cheers to 50 years of Miller Light, the great tasting light beer. For people who Love beer since 1975, now's a perfect time to celebrate legendary stories with friends, family and a great tasting light beer. It's Miller Time. Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.
Episode Title: Hour 2: Top 5 Professional Loser
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, J.J. Redick, Chris Cody, Jeremy
Release Date: April 21, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
In this engaging episode titled "Top 5 Professional Loser," hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz, along with guests J.J. Redick, Chris Cody, and Jeremy, delve into a mix of sports analysis, humorous anecdotes, and light-hearted banter. The primary focus centers around the NBA playoff series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers, complemented by critiques of specific players, team strategies, and amusing personal stories from the hosts.
The episode kicks off with a detailed analysis of the impending playoff clash between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. J.J. Redick highlights the Timberwolves' physicality as a significant factor that caught the Lakers off guard.
Dan Le Batard questions Redick’s assertion, pondering whether the Lakers were genuinely unprepared for the Timberwolves' physical style or if it's a natural escalation in playoff intensity.
Chris Cody suggests that Redick should frame his comments more constructively rather than implying the Lakers were blindsided.
The hosts debate the Lakers' defensive weaknesses and the strategic implications of recent trades, emphasizing how these factors may hinder their performance against Minnesota's robust lineup.
A significant segment of the discussion centers on Lakers player Kyle Kuzma. Dan Le Batard controversially labels Kuzma as a "professional loser," sparking a lively debate among the hosts.
Stugotz humorously elaborates on Kuzma's underwhelming performance metrics, while J.J. Redick counters by highlighting Kuzma's contributions in playoff scenarios.
Dan acknowledges Redick’s points but maintains his critical stance, showcasing the tension between honest critique and camaraderie.
Stugotz shares a humorous yet exaggerated account of dealing with a severe toothache, depicting his tooth amusingly as "smoking" from the pain. This segment showcases the hosts' ability to blend personal stories with comedic elements.
The playful exaggeration serves to lighten the mood and entertain listeners with relatable, albeit exaggerated, scenarios.
A standout segment features a lively recount of J.J. Redick's teenage son attempting to disrupt a Minecraft movie screening by running around with a rotisserie chicken. The incident resulted in the group being ejected from the theater, prompting a humorous yet thoughtful discussion on parenting and teenage behavior.
The hosts debate appropriate parenting responses, balancing amusement with mild reprimand, and explore the broader theme of teenage antics and parental guidance.
The conversation shifts to an analysis of Giannis Antetokounmpo's impact on the Milwaukee Bucks, discussing his legacy and comparing him to NBA legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The hosts explore whether Giannis's role as a "number two" player affects his championship potential.
The debate touches on Giannis's consistent performance, MVP votes, and the Bucks' team dynamics, offering a critical yet appreciative perspective on his career.
In a lighter segment, the hosts humorously critique Jimmy Butler’s pregame outfit, particularly an oversized pocket on his chest that appears to hold something mysterious. The analysis blends fashion commentary with comedic speculation.
This segment adds a playful element to the episode, highlighting the hosts' ability to find humor in unexpected topics.
The episode wraps up with a mix of humorous anecdotes and light-hearted banter, maintaining the show's entertaining tone. The hosts reflect on the day's discussions, reinforcing camaraderie and shared humor.
J.J. Redick ([02:04]):
"They got a guy who's 7 foot 2 who's a defensive player of the year. On the other side, you and they're going to be very physical."
Dan Le Batard ([15:37]):
"When I think of Kyle Kuzma, I'm like, ah, yes, professional loser."
J.J. Redick ([32:14]):
"Chicken jockey. So everybody apparently goes crazy during this one scene in the Minecraft movie."
Dan Le Batard ([27:24]):
"Chris Whittingham very definitively said that Giannis forevermore could never be a number one and win a championship."
"Hour 2: Top 5 Professional Loser" masterfully blends in-depth sports analysis with the hosts' trademark humor and personal stories. From dissecting playoff strategies and critiquing player performances to sharing amusing anecdotes about teenage antics, the episode offers listeners a well-rounded and entertaining experience. The balance between serious discussion and playful banter ensures that both sports enthusiasts and casual listeners find the content engaging and enjoyable.