Local Hour: David and Pablo's Awkward Moment

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Local Hour: David and Pablo's Awkward Moment
Release Date: February 5, 2025
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, with David Sampson and Pablo Torre

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, the hosts delve deep into the intricate dynamics of the NBA, focusing primarily on the Dallas Mavericks' ownership and the swirling rumors surrounding Kevin Durant's potential trade. The episode seamlessly blends serious sports analysis with light-hearted banter, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current NBA events and behind-the-scenes insights.

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Mavericks Ownership and NBA Trade Rumors

Kevin Durant Trade Speculations

The conversation kicks off with Pablo Torre highlighting the intense online speculation regarding a potential three-team trade involving Kevin Durant. At [06:32], Pablo states:

"There's a supposed three-team deal between the Heat, the Warriors, and the Suns that lands Jimmy Butler in Phoenix and Kevin Durant back with the Warriors."

Jeremy expands on this at [07:06]:

"The Internet has been ablaze... They're supposed to be making a three-team deal."

David Sampson challenges the credibility of these rumors at [08:22]:

"He wakes up this morning and it turns out the guy is not the guy, he's just a guy."

Ownership Influence and Decision-Making

The discussion shifts to the significant influence of Mavericks' owner Miriam Adelson and her son-in-law Patrick Dumont in team decisions. Pablo emphasizes the critical role of ownership in shaping team strategies:

"This is an ownership story and it's less so a GM story... you must follow the money here." [10:51]

He further critiques the opacity surrounding ownership decisions, stating:

"Nico Harrison does not have the power unilaterally to be like, I have an idea. This has to come from the people who own and bought the team." [12:15]

Impact of Ownership on Team Moves

The hosts debate the broader implications of ownership decisions on the Mavericks' future. Pablo underscores the interconnectedness of ownership dynamics and team performance:

"This is a story about the theater of power, who actually has it, who pretends like they have it, who performs it." [15:41]

David adds a historical perspective by comparing current ownership dynamics to past MLB management:

"The only thing David Stern would do is sticky envelopes. I mean, that's really the extent of his involvement." [32:35]

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Conspiracy Theories and NBA Governance

Gambling Legalization in Texas

A significant portion of the episode explores conspiracy theories linking Mavericks' ownership to political agendas, specifically the legalization of gambling in Texas. Pablo introduces the theory at [25:04]:

"The theory is that the ownership group wants to have gambling legal in Texas... and perhaps even relocate the team to Vegas to influence legislation."

Jessica seeks clarification and validation of this theory:

"He’s a lawyer, he's just a Mavs fan... he’s connecting dots." [25:20]

Adam Silver vs. David Stern

The hosts compare the current NBA commissioner Adam Silver to his predecessor, David Stern, debating their respective influences on league decisions:

"Adam Silver is way better liked, just as powerful." [34:51]
"Adam Silver is like, well, it seems like they really like the deal and then that's it." [34:50]

Pablo critiques Silver's leadership style, suggesting a lack of assertiveness reminiscent of Stern's tenure.

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Host Dynamics and Anecdotes

Amidst the serious discussions, the episode is peppered with moments of humor and camaraderie. The hosts recount their dining experience at Joe Stone Crab, sharing amusing anecdotes about interactions and social media distractions.

Dinner at Joe Stone Crab

At [03:02], Pablo humorously describes the exclusive treatment they received:

"It's the sort of place where you walk in with David Sampson and they immediately come up and say, Mr. Sampson, it's so good to have you back."

Social Media Distractions

David playfully teases Pablo about his focus on social media during dinner:

"You're focused on what your next post is." [04:58]

Awkward Moments and Banter

The episode also features light-hearted segments where the hosts discuss and even replay their own awkward interactions, adding a relatable and entertaining layer to the show.

At [36:07], Jessica comments on a particularly awkward moment:

"David looked at that. He's like... David's going for a high five."

Pablo adds humorously:

"We have to do dap class and I don't think you passed." [36:59]

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Concluding Remarks

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the complexities of NBA ownership and governance, acknowledging the delicate balance between team performance and executive decisions. They emphasize the importance of understanding the underlying financial and political motivations that drive major sports franchises.

Final Thoughts on Ownership

Pablo succinctly captures the essence of their discussion:

"The point is, look over there at the guy we put on camera at the presser next to Jason Kidd. Don't look at the people who actually had the power to make this deal happen." [16:42]

Dan concludes with a nod to their informative yet entertaining discourse:

"Guys, we're crushing this today. It's been informative." [35:50]

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Notable Quotes

• Pablo Torre [06:32]:
  "There's a supposed three-team deal between the Heat, the Warriors, and the Suns that lands Jimmy Butler in Phoenix and Kevin Durant back with the Warriors."

• David Sampson [08:22]:
  "He wakes up this morning and it turns out the guy is not the guy, he's just a guy."

• Pablo Torre [10:51]:
  "This is an ownership story and it's less so a GM story... you must follow the money here."

• Jessica [25:20]:
  "He’s a lawyer, he's just a Mavs fan... he’s connecting dots."

• Pablo Torre [15:41]:
  "This is a story about the theater of power, who actually has it, who pretends like they have it, who performs it."

• Pablo Torre [16:42]:
  "The point is, look over there at the guy we put on camera at the presser next to Jason Kidd. Don't look at the people who actually had the power to make this deal happen."

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This episode provided listeners with a multifaceted look into the current state of the NBA, blending in-depth analysis of ownership and trade dynamics with the hosts' signature humor and personal anecdotes. Whether you're a die-hard basketball fan or someone interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of sports franchises, this episode offers valuable insights wrapped in entertaining conversation.

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

You're listening to Giraffe Kings Network.

[Stugotz]

Wow.

[Pablo Torre]

What's up? I just bought and financed a car through Carvana in minutes.

[Dan Le Batard]

You, the person who agonized four weeks.

[Pablo Torre]

Over whether to paint your walls eggshell or off white, bought and financed a car in minutes. They made it easy. Transparent terms, customizable down and monthly. Didn't even have to do any paperwork.

[David Sampson]

Wow.

[Jessica]

Mm.

[Dan Le Batard]

Hey, have you checked out that spreadsheet I sent you for our dinner? Options finance your car with Carvana and experience total control financing subject to credit approval.

[Stugotz]

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[Pablo Torre]

This is the Dan Levator show with the ST Podcast. There's a lot going on today. There's too much going on. I would argue David hates when I say this to start any show. There is. I would say it's an unprecedented degree of substitute teacher vibes going on in the studio today. Chris Cody's dancing feels good, man. Does it feel good?

[Chris Cody]

It feels good to have you guys here. It does feel like substitute teacher vibes. But a good substitute teacher, not one of those. One that just puts on a film. Someone that makes me think. And I leave that day saying, that person deserves their own. That should be a full time teacher. That should not be a substitute teacher. I've never had that thought about a sub. I don't know why I'm doing this.

[Dan Le Batard]

I'm with Chris. I woke up in a good mood today. I was excited to come into work.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah.

[Jeremy]

Yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

That probably does the speak well to how I wake up other morning.

[Chris Cody]

Jess and I saw each other in the parking lot and we literally skipped in together.

[Pablo Torre]

It's one of those things where, like, everybody feels like they're on. They're like, at Six Flags, everybody's in New Orleans for the Super Bowl. They seem to be. I'm watching. I'm watching Stu Gotts post pictures with Mina at, like, a sandwich shop. Some are getting a po boy together. And our. Our task here, David, is to have more fun than them. That is our Challenge.

[David Sampson]

That's going to be an easy hurdle. That's sort of like the hurdle when you start a PTFO right on the ground. I just want to get right over the bar on the ground.

[Pablo Torre]

That is what I said.

[David Sampson]

I'm already over that. I'm not jealous. I'm happy to be here in Florida with you and Jeremy and Jessica and Chris.

[Chris Cody]

What do you guys think about maybe tomorrow we get like a New Orleans style band to just be out there?

[Pablo Torre]

Yes.

[Chris Cody]

So that we feel like we're, you know, what we're missing. We get.

[David Sampson]

All right.

[Pablo Torre]

When amin show, by the way, I mean, isn't here. I mean, supposed to be here. I mean, is coming on the list. He's coming in from the airport. I mean, has the craziest life, I think, of anybody who does this show. He commutes across the country all of the time.

[Chris Cody]

Thank you. I mean, we appreciate it.

[Pablo Torre]

Thank you. I mean, just hard worker.

[Chris Cody]

We appreciate you.

[David Sampson]

I don't think you can cut it that close.

[Pablo Torre]

Well, he has beyond cut it. He is not here.

[David Sampson]

That's. It's not cutting close. He's late.

[Pablo Torre]

And so I want to get into the NBA stuff because they're. Last night I was at dinner with David. We were wearing bibs at Joe Stone Crab, which if you've never seen David Sampson get bibbed, it is a. It is a sight to see. He walks. I mean, he. Joe's. Can I just. Chris, you've been to Joe Stone Crab. Do we need to explain what Joe Stone Crab is to people?

[Dan Le Batard]

It's pretty self explanatory, title wise, I think.

[David Sampson]

A Stone Crab place owned by Joe.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, right.

[David Sampson]

It's not exactly that, but it's a good place.

[Chris Cody]

I think it's the most like, profitable restaurant in America. One of them.

[Pablo Torre]

It's the sort of place where you walk in with David Sampson and they immediately come up and say, Mr. Sampson, it's so good to have you back. He is greedy. You were greeted by everybody we saw. I'm not exaggerating.

[Chris Cody]

You must hate that. How many hands did you shake? Did you sanitize right after I.

[David Sampson]

There were a few hugs.

[Pablo Torre]

There were. There were actual full body hugs.

[Chris Cody]

Are these fist bumps and handshakes happening while eating the crab?

[David Sampson]

No, you can't do anything while. When this. Once the stone crabs come. That's it.

[Chris Cody]

That's actually.

[Dan Le Batard]

You crack your own claws because you don't want them to touch your crab claws.

[David Sampson]

No, they come. They come pre. Crack.

[Dan Le Batard]

I know, but pay extra for that. Okay with that?

[Jeremy]

Yeah.

[David Sampson]

I wouldn't be able to there. You'd get too many cuts.

[Dan Le Batard]

You don't ask for like the cracker yourself.

[Pablo Torre]

A question by Jeff Joe.

[Chris Cody]

Stone crab is the perfect place to avoid these kind of interactions because you can always just have the doctor hands of like I got I crab hands, man. Can't fist bump. Can't do anything. We'll talk later.

[David Sampson]

There was a lot of that. A lot of the hands up, a lot of extra napkins, a lot of me clearing the table so there's room for all of the stuff while Pablo just sort of sits there oblivious. Eating dinner with Pablo is an interesting thing in that your level of oblivion other than focusing on your social media is quite interesting.

[Pablo Torre]

Other than focusing on my social media? What does that mean?

[David Sampson]

It means you're setting up pictures and you're posting and you're doing things while we're supposed to be focused in getting work done and you're focused on what your next post is.

[Pablo Torre]

I went to dinner and David went to work. That's a you problem, buddy.

[Chris Cody]

I have a picture of David in this bib.

[Pablo Torre]

Oh yeah? Yeah. You can pull it off of my. Speaking of which, at Pstoria on Instagram, it's currently on my stereotypes. I black. I blacked out. I put a bar over the the waiter's eyes for privacy reasons. But you could see what the vibe.

[David Sampson]

Is because you think you wouldn't want to be in a photo with me.

[Pablo Torre]

I just can't be sure.

[David Sampson]

You didn't get permission.

[Pablo Torre]

I did not get permission. But look at the Glee.

[David Sampson]

It's a happy place. You didn't blur out the people in the background.

[Chris Cody]

I think it's fine.

[Pablo Torre]

They are not on social media.

[David Sampson]

They're right there.

[Pablo Torre]

We ate. We ate at 5pm and none of those people are scrolling through my Instagram.

[Chris Cody]

Never been happier that someone's wearing a bib. Good God, that shirt.

[David Sampson]

That's a great shirt. Don't you yuck on a Robert Graham? Yum. That would be inappropriate.

[Pablo Torre]

Can you guys google Robert Graham for me and explain who this person is? Because I've never heard that name before in my life. Thank you.

[David Sampson]

I enjoyed going to dinner. I enjoy being in Miami. I don't feel like we're the substitutes.

[Pablo Torre]

I know you always try to say that. And I'm like, dude, we're rolling out the AV cart. This is what we do. I'm not embrace it.

[David Sampson]

I've got 20 things that I think that would be interesting to discuss and that Dan would be proud that we're Discussing. And you want to focus on your social media. Well, and, and not being upset with the mean.

[Pablo Torre]

I do want to bring us in to what I was doing at dinner because what I was doing while on my cell phone was actually doing a bit of reporting. It's what I do. I find stuff out. There's supposed to be a Kevin Durant trade happening and it hasn't happened yet. And I'm not alone in saying this, Jeremy. The Internet has been ablaze. Basically everybody who's even tangentially involved with the NBA has been h without reporting Kevin Durant's about to be traded. And they're supposed to be, in my understanding, to be even more irresponsible, like a three team deal involving some major franchises. So what is the latest? What is the Internet telling everybody?

[Jeremy]

Yeah, some of the latest reporting is insinuating that there could be a three team deal between the Heat, the Warriors and the Suns that lands Jimmy Butler in Phoenix and Kevin Durant back with the Golden State Warriors. I'm intrigued to see how and why the Suns would make that move given the circumstances. To me, the only logical explanation for moving Durant and bringing in Butler is if Booker genuinely wants to stick around for the long term. And you're trying to extend a window with another competitive, competitive veteran wing, but you're a bad team right now if you're Phenix. So acquiring Jimmy to then extend him, given the timelines, it might not make sense. They might even be welcoming him in with the idea of clearing out cap space in the off season and tearing the whole thing down.

[David Sampson]

Jeremy, there's one thing that you're missing in this analysis is that what Pablo was really saying is he was at the restaurant, reading his phone, getting what he thought was inside information, that we may have to leave dinner at any time mid claw, that this trade was imminent, definitely happening, and that he had somehow this connection. My guy's never wrong.

[Pablo Torre]

I have a guy.

[David Sampson]

He has a guy.

[Pablo Torre]

I have a guy.

[David Sampson]

He wakes up this morning and it turns out the guy is not the guy, he's just a guy.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, Jeremy has the same guy, it turns out.

[David Sampson]

Apparently that guy is waiting till 3pm tomorrow just like every other guy. And you were offended to be so normal and out of the loop.

[Pablo Torre]

Can I, can I clarify with Jeremy, though? Who are the Heat supposed to get in this?

[Jeremy]

I believe the Heat would be landing a combination of Andrew Wiggins and picks and other.

[Pablo Torre]

That's what I had heard from my guy, which is funny. Look, I want to talk about ownership Though. Because we just referenced just now the Phoenix Suns and their owner Matt Ishbia. Like, what is he doing? I was hoping Amin would be here for this, but we can pick it up when he's also around. I think that the media in general, the way we. The way we talk about the Luka Doncic thing is very backwards. I think it's remarkable how much we've missed the forest and the trees. This is a story about ownership. Nico Harrison has gone from a guy I've never seen. Speaking of guys. I've never seen a guy go from 0 to 1 million in terms of nobody knows who he is to everybody has a developed opinion. And we have talked so much about the strategy and the architecture of the trade. Nico Harrison and Rob Pelinka. Rob Pelinka saying that Nico Harrison was basically in private conversations with him. They've known each other for years through Nike and they've had to keep this secret. And they made it happen. David, this is a decision that must originate with the people who own the Dallas Mavericks. I don't think people even know largely that Mark Cuban no longer owns the Dallas Mavericks. And it infuriates me because I did an episode about who does own the Dallas Mavericks. Obviously Miriam Adelson and her son in law Patrick.

[David Sampson]

Where can we find that episode?

[Pablo Torre]

Pablo Torre finds out. It's available on YouTube. We have 99.299200 subscribers. Come be our 100,000th.

[David Sampson]

What do you get for that?

[Pablo Torre]

You get a plaque. You literally get a plaque.

[David Sampson]

Are you going to give someone a plaque? I mean, for being there the hundredth. No, no.

[Pablo Torre]

I'm going to get a plaque.

[David Sampson]

Oh, so you just want people to join?

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah. I'll send them a photo of the plaque thing.

[David Sampson]

Isn't it?

[Pablo Torre]

I digress. The point is this is an ownership story and it's less so a GM story as much as the GM story is colorful and funny and amazing. But I just think you must follow the money here. And the money is a very clear. Yeah, it's the plot, not the subplot.

[David Sampson]

So the money with the trade. I don't think. I don't agree. I think you have to focus on the truth that Nico was not alone. There is a report this morning that JJ Redick knew about the trade during the Knicks game, before the Knicks game, and that he was super excited and he was in a great mood and all happy. Which would track that the coaches would know while Jason Kidd sat there pretending I had no idea, looking like someone stole his lunch money.

[Chris Cody]

That's my favorite part of this whole thing. Just how awkward he looked during that.

[David Sampson]

Isn't that amazing? Do we have a photo like, of Jason Kidd? Is there anything worse than being forced to go to a press conference and having to be the. What's the word for when you're not in the know?

[Chris Cody]

I was joking yesterday that. Do you think he tried to get out of that press conference? Do you think, like, he was just like, you got this right, Nico. Like, I got a call and he's just like, no, I think we should be aligned on this. Come on up. And he's just like, oh, all right, I'll go up there.

[David Sampson]

We staff press conferences in advance. You say who's going to be up there? And if someone makes a big issue, you know, if a player makes a big issue, or the gm, you can get the agm, but you need someone from the baseball front office to take the heat off you is having made the decision. And I don't know why Nico would bring him up there just to say that he's been neutered. It makes. It made no sense to me. Well, I'm not buying it.

[Pablo Torre]

Look at that face. It's the feeder of all of it. Right? Look. And again, do I buy that LeBron didn't know about this? Do I buy that, yeah, Clutch was not involved when they represent LeBron and Anthony Davis in this and they wouldn't have shared information. I don't buy any of that, obviously. But the owner story, this is a multibillion dollar franchise, at the center of which is this kid, is this 25 year old. And Nico Harrison does not have the power unilaterally to be like, I have an idea. This has to come from the people who own and bought the team.

[David Sampson]

No, the idea can come from the gm, but it has to get approved by the owner.

[Pablo Torre]

But my point is, the idea can't go anywhere without the owner unless the person who pays the bills is like, yes. And so to your point, I want to. I want to acknowledge the best case scenario for this, for this story in terms of what were the Adelson sort of aware of? It's that they didn't care. Right. The question of how mad should you be as a Mavs fan at the owners of your team. The most generous interpretation of the order of events here is that they didn't care. When Nico Harrison was like, I have an idea. They said, whatever, go do it. Like, we're not going to spend a ton of time thinking about this. That's the most Generous interpretation.

[David Sampson]

That's awesome. That's no meddling. Isn't that whatever. Is that what you guys want from your owners? Letting the basketball and baseball people make the decision? You always complain about that. The owners are too involved.

[Dan Le Batard]

I mean, I think you just want whoever doesn't suck at it to do it.

[Chris Cody]

Make good decisions. I don't really care who does it.

[David Sampson]

So you can meddle if you're good.

[Pablo Torre]

No, I think.

[David Sampson]

Don't medal, David.

[Pablo Torre]

I think we've drawn the line. The Mendoza Line exists in baseball. This is the Luka Doncic line. If your GM comes to you and says, I'm going to trade Luka Doncic right now, I just want the owner to say, that's an insanely stupid idea. That's all I want them to do. They don't have to do more than that.

[Dan Le Batard]

Probably what Mark Cuba would have done.

[Pablo Torre]

So the Mark Cuban part of this is.

[David Sampson]

That's my favorite part of this whole story, is the Mark Cuban part.

[Pablo Torre]

So refresh our memory, David, because you were out ahead on this, truly, when it came to Mark Cuban.

[David Sampson]

Crushed.

[Pablo Torre]

Selling to Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont.

[David Sampson]

And all of you in there in that room, crushing me. When I told you that Mark Cuban, when he sold the team, was done, and Mark Cuban was coming out and saying, oh, I'm still the head of basketball. I'm still maintaining my power. And I said, of course not. He sold the team. He has. He's not the governor. He's not the alternate governor. He's nobody. He's nothing. He sold. But Mark Cuban made us all believe that he's involved until the LUCA deal. And then he said, oi, I better let people know I got nothing to do with this. So he basically changed his story.

[Chris Cody]

You also said A.J. brown would never play for the Eagles again.

[David Sampson]

I can't. I didn't say I got everything right.

[Dan Le Batard]

Didn't you say you trade Mike Evans, too?

[David Sampson]

I just want to be clear, Jessica, and I'm happy to go at this right now.

[Dan Le Batard]

I don't ever crush Cuban takes.

[David Sampson]

Are you right in everything you say? Every time you say it? I just want to establish that. So that's a stupid threshold to even talk about. But the fact about Mark Cuban is simple. The Samson line, it's the Sampson line, is we're all going to be wrong if you're willing to take a position. Even you, Pablo.

[Pablo Torre]

I disagree.

[David Sampson]

Well, that's exactly. That's you being you. But you're not right all the time for Mark Cuban.

[Pablo Torre]

I'm trying to Set David up for a victory lap, and he's somehow turning.

[David Sampson]

It into a parade of I want to take a victory lap. I want to explain. The way it works when you sell a team is you don't get power. And Mark Cuban trying to mislead all of you bothered me greatly. And now the fact that he needed to separate himself from the local.

[Pablo Torre]

Legitimately funny.

[David Sampson]

Hilarious.

[Pablo Torre]

Yes.

[David Sampson]

Like, he's been waiting. It's not been a month since he sold the.

[Pablo Torre]

This is. This is a story about the theater of power, who actually has it, who pretends like they have it, who performs it. Nico Harrison is the greatest gift to Miriam Adelson. Not because he got Luka Doncic out of there, because everybody is simply talking about his incompetence. It's the thing with Roger Goodell. Roger Goodell's great value to NFL ownership is that he is the meat shield. You criticize him and his weird press conferences and you do so less so now, obviously, by the way, a separate story. But the whole point is, look over there at the guy we put on camera at the presser next to Jason Kidd. Don't look at the people who actually had the power to make this deal happen. It's an incredible gift we've given to a person. By the way, Miriam Adelson, just for the record, here was Trump's biggest donor in 2020. These are just facts. I'm not going to present them with any sort of editorializing, just facts about who she is.

[Dan Le Batard]

You can. You can say that that's bad.

[Pablo Torre]

I just want to point out that she was Trump's biggest donor in 2020. She is a super donor to the Republican Party in its most mutated state. Mutated also feels objective at this point. And she is the architect, quietly, of Trump's whole policy in the Middle east, which, by the way, happens to be relevant certainly right now. And yesterday. She has been all over the biggest story in sports and the biggest story in politics at the same time, and nobody is really talking about her. And that is an amazing bit of theater for us to miss.

[David Sampson]

I didn't want to miss it. I wanted to talk about it with all of you because it is true. And this happened. Her husband really started this with her, and when he passed away, she took the mantle.

[Chris Cody]

Why is this more of an owner trade than any trade? Because by your lot, like, isn't every trade go through the owner's desk and it's like, I don't know, what's the difference here between every trade?

[Pablo Torre]

It's a great question to me, David. So the reason I love that David is here, by the way. Great question, Chris. It's because.

[Chris Cody]

Thank you everyone. It's so rare.

[David Sampson]

That's so rare when it, when it.

[Pablo Torre]

Comes to meat shields and when it comes to people, executives running a team who must be trotted out there to be deeply unpopular in front of the press to cover for the owner of the team, I present to you David Sampson.

[David Sampson]

It was my job for 18 years.

[Chris Cody]

Why'd you sign Heath Bell?

[David Sampson]

I mean, it's. Those were questions that were asked to me that you all blamed me for doing. And that was my job. It is Nico Harrison's job. Have you ever noticed you don't see owners at the firing press conferences? You seem at the hiring press conferences. That is a very common thing that owners think people don't notice. They send out the president or the GM when you're making a move or an unpopular trade. But then when it's a huge free agent signing, then the owner comes out. And so I think that it's important to know that one of the privileges of ownership is that you get to decide when you have your meat shield out and when you don't. But Adelson, as you know, you keep calling her the owner of the Mavericks. Clarify, you should clarify that it is her son in law who is the actual governor, the actual owner of the Mavericks, because she would not be approved by the NBA.

[Jeremy]

Friends, it's Jerbear. And you know that I'm obviously a bit of the romantic type and Valentine's Day is coming up and for me there's only one place place that I trust. 1-800-flowers.com Every year I order stunning, high quality bouquets from 1-800-flowers that my wife absolutely loves. And this year I'm partnering with 1-800-FLOWERS to make sure you're a Valentine's hero with an exclusive offer for my listeners. Double the roses for free. When you buy one dozen, they'll double your bouquet to two dozen roses. It's the perfect way to say I love you without breaking the bank. Trust me, 1-800-FLowers always delivers. In the Lebatard studios, we received a beautiful arrangement of long stem red roses accompanied in an hourglass red vase. They're timeless, luxurious and romantic. A must have this Valentine's Day. And seeing and smelling the freshness of that bouquet as I walk into work every day has me prepared for any hate that Dan may throw my way. To claim your double your roses offer, go to 1-800-flowers.com Dan, that's at 1-800-flowers com Dan.

[Stugotz]

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[Dan Le Batard]

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[David Sampson]

Stugats Go pee pee.

[Pablo Torre]

This is the Dan Levatar show with.

[Jessica]

The stugats foreign.

[Pablo Torre]

So this is something that we reported in Pablo Torre finds out that the NBA called me to push back on immediately. The concern had been Miriam Adelson, if you google her, is so toxic that the NBA said we need a meat shield for her. And that ended up being reportedly, according to our reporting, Patrick Dumont.

[David Sampson]

Well that's a fact. That's not a report. He is the principal owner, he's the governor of the Mavericks, but an anonymous.

[Pablo Torre]

Guy who is her son in law, who is in fact the governor who shows up at the meetings. And it's not Miriam. And all of this again is it a distinction without a difference. We can argue about that. Where the money comes from seems to be the most relevant thing. As always, her. As I have been told many times, the answer to all of your questions is money. We should probably think about that. But to Chris's question specifically, like, what's different about this? Why is this an owner thing? It's because it's Luca BLEEPING Doncic. He's 25 years old. He is all the. All of the superlatives. We've all been saying five time, all NBA, five years running, made the NBA Finals, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

[David Sampson]

David, if Popovich traded Wemby, would Popovich get crushed like this?

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah.

[David Sampson]

I mean, he would.

[Jeremy]

Yes.

[David Sampson]

We. So Popovich hasn't earned the right if.

[Chris Cody]

He traded him for a 32 year old. I think everyone would be like, what.

[Pablo Torre]

Did they just do if Popovich traded Wemby at all? Yes, I would say that the immediate.

[Jeremy]

Reaction would have felt that way about if he traded him for Luka Doncic. Like, that's the air that Wemby is in at the moment, considering his age and impact on.

[Dan Le Batard]

I also, I think we're like, the reason why this is also not just an owner thing, it's a GM thing is because of how bad the haul was for Luka Doncic. That's where it's like, even if this is an owner thing, the GM's job is to, like, make those transactions make sense. And it just still doesn't really make a lot of sense.

[Jeremy]

This leads perfectly into my favorite conspiracy theory that I have seen about all of this, which you guys will enjoy because it involves ownership and manipulating politicians. So the theory that I believe stemmed from a Facebook post is that that's where it starts. I'm couching it with that from the beginning. All good theories begin with a Facebook post is that the ownership group for the Mavericks wants to have gambling legal in Texas. And in turn, they want to use the threat of moving the Mavericks to Vegas to influence the state legislature to pass legalized gambling in the state of Texas. And the only way that by 2026 they could logically threaten to move to Vegas is if they get the NBA to approve it. If they're a thriving franchise with a young superstar in Dallas, the NBA would never approve the Dallas Mavericks moving to Vegas. But if by then this core group has come and gone and Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving hasn't worked out, they can sell off the team, hit rock bottom, and potentially threaten to move to Vegas. And this is a perfect time for.

[Pablo Torre]

A meeting, I was gonna say. So I want to laugh at this and pick it apart. And luckily, Amin Elhassan has just arrived. The guy who just interviewed, I believe the originator of the Facebook post in question.

[Jessica]

That's right. That's right.

[Pablo Torre]

Do you buy it? Do you buy the theory?

[Jessica]

Well, first of all, the guy's very clear. He's a lawyer. He's just a Mavs fan who's a lawyer. And he makes it very clear, like there's no sourcing on this. He's just connecting dots. It is true that the Adelson family purchased the Mavericks with the intent of getting gambling legalized in Texas and having this vast territory, the largest population of non gambling people, because it's not available to them in the United States, but, you know, upwards of 20 million people in the state of Texas. That's true. They didn't want it to get legalized. That's true. When they build the new building, the new arena, they want a casino.

[Pablo Torre]

They're casino magnates, the Adelsons. Right.

[David Sampson]

Macau, the Sands. Mostly in Asia now.

[Pablo Torre]

In Asia.

[David Sampson]

I mean, so many things that. I mean, I don't know what ridiculous.

[Jessica]

I don't know what Jeremy said.

[David Sampson]

I'll just tell you.

[Pablo Torre]

Jeremy, just summarize.

[David Sampson]

Summarized the Facebook.

[Jessica]

Okay, so. So, because like I think I did.

[Chris Cody]

Can we get a slow motion replay of what just happened?

[Pablo Torre]

I don't want ever. I want to. I don't want to ever relive that. I was. Okay, here's another connection. Remember when Josh Harris, owner of the Commanders, also own the Sixers, went on Monday Night Football and was there with Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, and he thought that something happening was a high five invitation and then he grabbed the hand of, I believe, Joe Buck. That's just what happened with me and Samson.

[David Sampson]

That was terrible.

[Pablo Torre]

I was not trying to high five you.

[David Sampson]

I thought you were.

[Pablo Torre]

Proceed.

[Jessica]

I mean, Chris Cradaville is the guy's name, this lawyer's name. So as I said, that's correct. They do want to legalize gambling in Texas. They do want the new arena that they're going to build to have a casino attached. They already have the land. The land is in Irving, Texas, near the site of the old Cowboy stadium. So that stuff is all true. The part where it's like. And this deal was to put the. Is the stick because the carrot didn't work in legislature. I don't know. He says it's his theory too. Like, he's not saying, oh, I know. I got the inside scoop. And I think that's very important to point out as people like to take things and run with it.

[Pablo Torre]

Yes, yes.

[David Sampson]

Legalizing gambling in Texas is not in any way correlated to Luca being on The Mavericks or not. It's just that is when they are deciding where to legalize gambling. When you're lobbying, whether you're draftkings or anyone else lobbying for legal gambling, you are not focused on who is actually on the team in the state or city where you are going.

[Pablo Torre]

But even bigger picture, right? When it comes to what the NBA's financial interests here it is interesting to consider that, right? If you're Adam Silver, the question has, has, has arrived. Should he veto this deal? Should he have vetoed this deal and just purely cynically, purely following the money. This is a good deal for Adam Silver to have happen in his league, is it not? From a pure like Luca go to the Lakers. Lakers have a whole decade of Runway of your next all time player Dallas. You'll figure it out. Like that feels like a cost benefit that Adam Silver, his heart of hearts would, would approve of.

[Jessica]

Can I be unfun today? I hate this talk.

[Dan Le Batard]

Someone's got to do.

[Pablo Torre]

We, we, we started the show by saying we have to be more fun than people in New Orleans. And I mean immediately saying well I.

[Jessica]

Mean like, but like we're taking it down. This is what I, it gives me headaches, right? It starts with the question I'm picturing.

[Chris Cody]

Dan watching like finally someone's bringing it down.

[Jessica]

What are you doing over there with your headaches?

[Chris Cody]

That is what Dan's doing.

[Dan Le Batard]

I'm not rubbing his nipples.

[Jessica]

So this idea that Silver should veto it like Stern did the Chris Paul. That's not how this works. Chris Paul deal was vetoed by David Stern. Not as commissioner of the NBA, cuz it's unfair. It was vetoed because he was the de facto governor of the New Orleans franchise at the time. Because the guy who owned it ran out of money. And he was like I can't run a team anymore. Who wants it? It's like the bank foreclosing on the team. And so Stern was like I'm the governor and they bring him this deal. And the deal by the way was to get like Pau Gasoline and a couple of other middling players. And Stern looked at it and said we're better off being terrible and trying our luck in the lottery. And so he vetoes the deal as the de facto governor. The deal doesn't go through. They do a different deal that brings them the type of players that will bring their value down. Excuse me, their competitive value down on the floor. They're terrible. Guess what? They got that following lottery. The number one overall pick who was Anthony Davis totally the right Move for the Pelicans franchise. But everyone's a voter. He did it because they were gonna help the Lakers.

[Pablo Torre]

So hold on. This is.

[David Sampson]

I like do that.

[Jessica]

They do that all the time. They do that.

[David Sampson]

I never.

[Jessica]

With that voice.

[David Sampson]

That's weird.

[Jessica]

You never say that. You never say that. The league vetoed the deal because it would have been bad.

[David Sampson]

The league used to run the. Run the Expos and there were a bunch of deals done by Omerman Eyes the GM of the Expos.

[Pablo Torre]

Remind us why the league. Why Major League Baseball was running the Expos.

[David Sampson]

Because we sold the Expos to Major League Baseball so they could run the Expos and move them to Washington and become the Washington Nationals and so we could get the Marlins and so John Henry could sell the Marlins and move to Boston because the trust that owned the Red Sox wanted to cash out and baseball wanted to make sure that John Henry got them.

[Jessica]

It's a three way deal. Basically.

[David Sampson]

It was a three.

[Jessica]

You guys acquired the Marlins, he acquired the Red Sox and then Washington acquires the Expos.

[David Sampson]

That it was a three way deal. And there were a lot of trades that were done. If you go back and look at Expos transactions after O2 and there was a lot of talk that they should be vetoed by Selig and he would not veto them. And so the Expos made a bunch of bad trades.

[Pablo Torre]

What is the. The verdict that you have of how Major League Baseball was at running the Expos?

[David Sampson]

Great. They put in a guy named Tony Tavares to be the president. They had a GM named Omar Mania, who some of you may know that's from his days with the Mets. And they ran it knowing that they were trying to cut expenses, didn't care about revenue, didn't care about attendance, didn't really.

[Pablo Torre]

Well, now it's sounding worse.

[David Sampson]

No, but that. That wasn't their job.

[Pablo Torre]

Well, so this is why I bring it up though. It's because. I mean is. I love Amin's re retrospective. Is his revisiting of how good a GM was David Stern actually not a diem.

[Jessica]

How good of an owner governor.

[Pablo Torre]

But I'm. But I'm saying this because ownership and decision making when it comes to when the league is taking over teams kind of hard to disentangle. Because the incentives for the decisions you make are different now, right? It's different, sure.

[Jessica]

But. But the decision he made was the best decision for the franchise. That wasn't a. Because the best decision for the league would have been send Chris Paul to Kobe Bryant, Send him to LA. Get him out of this. The 30th largest market in the.

[Jeremy]

In the league.

[Jessica]

Send them to the number two market. Send them to the market. All of the financial incentives were there for them to do that. And he did it because that wasn't what was best for the organization.

[David Sampson]

The only thing David Stern would do is sticky envelopes. I mean, that's really the extent of his involvement.

[Jessica]

Frozen is what they accused him of.

[David Sampson]

Nobody. Sticky envelopes. Pat Ewing.

[Pablo Torre]

It was frozen.

[Jeremy]

It's frozen.

[Pablo Torre]

Come on.

[Dan Le Batard]

We all know it's sticky.

[Pablo Torre]

David, as always, we are 100% right when we disagree with you specifically.

[David Sampson]

I thought it was a sticky envelope.

[Jessica]

Frozen envelope.

[David Sampson]

Frozen envelope.

[Jessica]

They put it in the freezer is cold. So when he reaches in to pick the envelope, the cold one is the one he pills.

[David Sampson]

And is that. Now, did you find out that that's officially what happened?

[Pablo Torre]

That has been for a long time.

[David Sampson]

The dominant theory, but never confirmed.

[Dan Le Batard]

But what sticky substance do you have on the envelope?

[David Sampson]

I thought that it was stuck to the. And when it. My video surveillance showed that when they twisted the. The ball with the envelopes that the Knicks one stayed at the bottom and didn't twist like the others.

[Jessica]

No, it was a frozen envelope. That was the theory. By the way, the May 11, 2022 episode of Basketball Illuminati, we tackled this episode 13. We had Patrick Ruby, who did a very exhaustive.

[Pablo Torre]

Yes. For espn.

[Jessica]

Yeah. Deep dive into all of the conspiracy theories surrounding that draft. So.

[Pablo Torre]

But to that point. Right. As somebody who is also the voice on Basketball Illuminati at the beginning.

[Jessica]

Yes.

[Pablo Torre]

Quoting a story that I'd written about why the NBA is the league most riven with conspiracy. It's because of stuff like this. It's because there is just enough plausibility for these things to take root. But I want to disentangle, like, what is conspiracy and what is actually just business.

[David Sampson]

David, having Ewing on the Knicks is just business. They need. And it's funny, you have a league now where the Knicks have not been able to perform in a couple decades. The NFL is a league where the Cowboys. People laugh. I did this on Nothing Personal today. If the NFL were scripted, the Cowboys would be in the playoffs and in the super bowl way more than they are. And the Giants and Jets would not be as bad as they've been for a long time. You wouldn't script it without the Cowboys. I just. It's all horse hockey.

[Pablo Torre]

Look, but I'm not trying to relitigate the frozen envelope. What I'm trying to get back to, though, is is this Luca thing, which Anthony Davis, by the way, via Amin Story, has brought us back to full circle.

[Jessica]

Right. So. So we get to how could this deal happen? Why didn't Adam Silver do anything? Number one, if there were going to be a commissioner who would play God, it's not Adam Silver. David Stern, maybe.

[Pablo Torre]

I agree.

[Jessica]

Adam Silver is like, well, it seems like they really like the deal and then that's it.

[David Sampson]

I kind of wish his voice that way.

[Pablo Torre]

I kind of wish he would play God more.

[Jessica]

But David, it's. It's more by his energy. He doesn't sound like that at all. But the energy is very, like, meek, whatever you guys like. And David Stern would walk in the room and tell you, every one of you, go F yourselves. I'm in charge.

[David Sampson]

Because Stern was an A rod. David, Adam Silver is way better liked, just as powerful.

[Jessica]

Let me, let me, let me know. He's not a rod. He's not a rod.

[David Sampson]

I meant to say, but I didn't want to say it.

[Jessica]

Oh, he said Jack hole. You could say Jack. Oh, that's a good one. Yeah.

[Pablo Torre]

So a million other things could have just said.

[Dan Le Batard]

Because then you just did.

[Jessica]

He actually did. Yeah.

[Chris Cody]

And also, well, like, not better liked.

[David Sampson]

Thank you.

[Pablo Torre]

That's my ep. That's my ep.

[Dan Le Batard]

Guys, we're crushing this today. It's been informative. Chris Cody having the show of his life.

[Chris Cody]

Let's watch a movie.

[Dan Le Batard]

Asking good questions.

[Pablo Torre]

Nipples have been rubbed and it's like 9:30.

[David Sampson]

Nipples.

[Jessica]

Yeah.

[Pablo Torre]

What did I say?

[David Sampson]

Nibbles.

[Pablo Torre]

Nibbles. I like that.

[Chris Cody]

Replay up of the awkward back.

[Pablo Torre]

I don't think we needed.

[Chris Cody]

There's no audio. It's just you guys, like, what is here? David's going for a high five.

[David Sampson]

Lord, let's not show that again. I didn't know what to do.

[Jessica]

To the listening audience, Pablo is just making the point of like. Like David said. And he holds his hand out.

[Chris Cody]

Pablo's like. David's like, oh, high five.

[Jessica]

David looked at it as like an opportunity to make connection.

[David Sampson]

I thought there was a connection. I thought, you're having a moment.

[Pablo Torre]

Can you pull the video from the last time David and I were here where he tried to dap up Dominique? That's in the archive somewhere.

[David Sampson]

Wow, that's on the.

[Chris Cody]

We'll get that.

[David Sampson]

That's actually my intro to Nothing Personal. It's every day we show it and the audience loves that. When I jump into his arms. That's part of our 30 second intro.

[Jessica]

Is there like a playlist of awkward interactions with David Sampson.

[Pablo Torre]

They're efforting it. I'm told there should be.

[Chris Cody]

Now it'll never be Dan with Josh Norman.

[Jessica]

Josh Norman, that's going to always the gold standard. Have you ever seen that?

[David Sampson]

I have not.

[Pablo Torre]

You have not seen this?

[David Sampson]

No.

[Pablo Torre]

It's security camera footage of the Clevelander bar and Josh Norman walks in and there is Dan. And somehow Dan is basically like grinding on the back of Josh Norman. It's an incredible.

[Chris Cody]

What starts as like just kind of a normal embrace. Dan like, pulls him and like, they like, take like three steps back. It was so awkward.

[David Sampson]

And what pulls him from behind?

[Jessica]

Yes.

[Dan Le Batard]

Wait, hold on a second. You're telling me Dan was awkward? I have to see this.

[Jessica]

Pablo picked up on this. The best. The best part of the video isn't what happens, it's that it's not like shot there. It is. It's shot with grainy security camera. It's like TMZ video Clevelander.

[Chris Cody]

All right, they embrace, he pulls him.

[David Sampson]

Oh, wait, that didn't seem awkward.

[Jessica]

What are you talking about?

[Chris Cody]

Play the game, David, by the way.

[Jessica]

And look at the guy in the black shirt over there. His awkward, like, kind of. He scratches his head like. Oh, my God. Yeah, look at him.

[Chris Cody]

He pulls him in. Look at.

[Pablo Torre]

Look at him.

[Jessica]

He looks at that. He's like.

[Pablo Torre]

It's the slow dance. It's the slow dance. Admittedly, in my mind, it was even worse. Over time, I have reimagined this. It's the.

[Chris Cody]

It's the step and a half back he takes with him, like, come on.

[Jessica]

Arm around his neck. And then pulling him.

[Chris Cody]

The little slight pull.

[David Sampson]

Wow, that was. Jessica, are you as disappointed as I am in that video?

[Dan Le Batard]

I. It's pretty awkward. And if you know Dan, you just know why it's awkward.

[David Sampson]

No, but he's called it the most awkward thing ever.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, what you just did with Pablo was more awkward.

[Pablo Torre]

I agree.

[Chris Cody]

Here we go. Let's. Here's David and Dominique.

[Pablo Torre]

Oh, yeah.

[Chris Cody]

Let's see if this is worse. Oh, the dance. What is that?

[Pablo Torre]

The dance? Forgot about the Euro step.

[Chris Cody]

Oh, my. Oh, my God. Okay, you know what? This takes the cake.

[Dan Le Batard]

I would put this under cringe. Not awkward, though.

[Chris Cody]

Oh, my God.

[Pablo Torre]

What is zero? Step into the basket.

[David Sampson]

I don't remember what we were doing or why we were doing.

[Pablo Torre]

We had to do dap class. We did dap class and I don't think you passed.

[David Sampson]

Amazing. When everything is on camera.

[Chris Cody]

Little shuffle right here, recorded.

[Jessica]

That might be the worst part. The shuffle shovel up to it.

[Jeremy]

Might be worth the actual dap.

[Chris Cody]

Not terrible. Everything before and after.

[Pablo Torre]

It's everything.

[Chris Cody]

This is terrible. And then watch the dap. The dap itself. Not terrible. Then you go into his like, I don't know why you put your legs up.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah.

[Jessica]

He works in sports.

[David Sampson]

That's why. He's a short thing.

[Chris Cody]

Is it a short thing?

[David Sampson]

Yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

Needed. Upbeat.

[Pablo Torre]

Interesting. We need to call Dominique.

[Jeremy]

Friends, it's Jerbear. And you know that I'm obviously a bit of the romantic type. And Valentine's Day is coming up. And for me, there's only one place that I trust. 1-800-flowers.com Every year I order stunning, high quality bouquets from 1-800-flowers that my wife absolutely loves. And this year I'm partnering with 1-800-FLOWERS to make sure you're a Valentine's hero with an exclusive offer for my listeners. Double the roses for free. When you buy one dozen, they'll double your bouquet to two dozen roses. It's the perfect way to say I love you without breaking the bank. Trust me, 1-800-FLowers always delivers. In the Levitart studios, we received a beautiful arrangement of long stem red roses accompanied in an hourglass red vase. They're timeless, luxurious and romantic. A must have this Valentine's Day. And seeing and smelling the freshness of that bouquet as I walk into work every day has me prepared for any hate that Dan may throw my way. To claim your double your roses offer, go to 1-800-flowers.com dan that's a 1-800-flowers.

[Mike Ryan]

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