Local Hour: Garbage Reflexes

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Local Hour: Garbage Reflexes
Release Date: July 3, 2025

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I. Introduction to Local Hour and Fireworks Discussion

The episode opens with Dan LeBatard and Stugotz delving into the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations, particularly focusing on attending a Major League Baseball game. They discuss the quintessential American experience of enjoying baseball, hot dogs, and fireworks.

• Dan LeBatard [01:14]: "I shouldn't be caring about this team at this point in the season and I say that with all due respect and I have a date with them on Friday."

• Stugotz [01:38]: "Hopefully, you'll think there'll be a lot of better fireworks shows than the one put together by the major league baseball team."

II. Analysis of Controversial Umpire Call in Twins vs. Marlins Game

A significant portion of the discussion centers around a contentious play in a Twins vs. Marlins game, where an umpire's call affected the outcome.

• Stugotz [05:04]: "The Marlins had a chance to put all of us in place so that we had Billy live watch party tonight... the Marlins lost 2 to 1."

• Dan LeBatard [06:05]: "I interfere with this play and, if you watch it, it barely grazed him if even that the run was sure to score anyways."

The hosts meticulously dissect the umpire's decision, questioning whether the ball truly hit the umpire and if the call was justified.

• Chris Cote [07:17]: "Can we be honest, though? That's garbage reflex by the umpire."

• Stugotz [08:16]: "That's garbage reflex."

III. Responsibilities and Integrity of Umpires – Gambling and Casino Policies

The conversation shifts to the broader topic of umpire integrity, touching upon the potential for gambling influences.

• Stugotz [09:48]: "They point to several examples of where tanking doesn't work... Do we have confidence in their ability to rebuild the roster?"

• Billy Corben [14:27]: "An MLB umpire can physically enter or walk through a casino so long as they do not violate MLB's gambling rules."

They explore whether umpires are allowed to gamble, referencing MLB's regulations and the ethical boundaries expected of officials.

IV. The Normalization and Risks of Gambling in Sports

The hosts express concerns about the increasing normalization of gambling within sports culture, citing recent incidents and the lack of adequate oversight.

• Stugotz [12:10]: "The general danger that everyone has underestimated in normalizing and enjoying gambling the way that this show does."

• Billy Corben [13:25]: "There are probably dozens upon dozens of examples of Malik Beasley's out there that have gone totally unchecked."

V. Focus on Miami Heat: Management, Strategy, and Fan Frustration

Shifting gears, the discussion homes in on the Miami Heat's current management strategies, examining fan dissatisfaction with the team's direction under Pat Riley.

• Stugotz [17:29]: "What's happened to the Miami Heat. Evan Parsons says this pisses him off them running propaganda ops through their big three Barry, Ethan and Lebatar."

• Billy Corben [18:46]: "They're just gonna continue to tread water. Heat fans didn't wanna see after years of frustration finally caught up."

The hosts critique the Heat's reluctance to pursue superstar acquisitions and their reliance on existing assets like Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.

VI. The Role of Pat Riley and Organizational Dynamics

A deep dive into the organizational structure of the Miami Heat reveals tensions between Pat Riley and CEO Nick Arison, questioning Riley's influence over the franchise's future.

• Stugotz [22:00]: "The person that Pat Riley reports to is Nick Arison."

• Dan LeBatard [23:55]: "When it's bad times, he can't do anything. It's not his fault."

The conversation speculates on Pat Riley's potential departure and the implications for the team's rebuilding efforts.

• Billy Corben [24:30]: "I just want the franchise to get to being a contender quickly."

• Stugotz [41:01]: "We agree by that definition." (Referring to defining a player like Jimmy Butler as a bust under a "championship or bust" philosophy)

VII. Concluding Remarks on Miami Heat's Future

In their final segments, Dan, Stugotz, and Billy lament the Heat's inability to secure key players and the resulting stagnation. They debate the efficacy of Pat Riley's long-term strategies and contemplate what changes might invigorate the franchise.

• Dan LeBatard [43:14]: "He doesn't actually want to do much now." (Referring to Pat Riley)

• Billy Corben [44:17]: "But you know what I mean." (Discussing potential documentary subjects)

The episode wraps up with a collective sentiment that the Miami Heat are at a crossroads, needing decisive action to reclaim their status as contenders in the NBA.

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Notable Insights:

• The integrity of game officials remains a critical concern, especially with the intertwining of sports and gambling.
• The Miami Heat's management strategies are under scrutiny, with fans voicing frustration over perceived stagnation and lack of star acquisitions.
• Organizational dynamics, particularly the relationship between Pat Riley and Nick Arison, play a pivotal role in shaping the team's future.

Conclusion:

"Local Hour: Garbage Reflexes" offers a comprehensive look into specific sports controversies and broader organizational challenges within the Miami Heat franchise. Through detailed analysis and candid discussions, Dan LeBatard and Stugotz provide listeners with a nuanced perspective on the interplay between management decisions, fan expectations, and the ever-evolving landscape of professional sports.

Transcript

[Dan LeBatard]

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[Stugotz]

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[Chris Cote]

That fit your [e-mail] rewards. This product contains nicotine.

[Stugotz]

Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Billy Corben]

Now more than ever, Lowes knows you.

[Stugotz]

Don'T just want a low price, you want the lowest price.

[Billy Corben]

And with our lowest price guarantee, you can count on us for competitive prices.

[Stugotz]

On all your home improvement projects.

[Billy Corben]

If you find a qualifying lower price somewhere else on the same item, we'll match it Lowe's. We help you save price match applies.

[Stugotz]

To same item current price at qualifying retailers.

[Chris Cote]

Exclusions and terms apply.

[Billy Corben]

Learn how we'll match price@lowe's.com lowest price.

[Stugotz]

Guarantee Billy stomped in here today and I don't know who he's mad at but I got to be honest, I was not expecting midway through the season as the all Stars are being announced in baseball, for Billy to have baseball games that he cares about.

[Dan LeBatard]

I shouldn't care about this team at this point in the season and I say that with all due respect and I and I have a date with them on Friday, but I shouldn't, I shouldn't be caring.

[Stugotz]

You're going to the game tomorrow. You're celebrating the 4th and America by going to an old fashioned major league baseball game.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, hot dogs, fireworks, baseball, America Americana, you know what I mean?

[Stugotz]

That'll be a good fireworks show, right? There won't be a lot better. Hopefully you'll think there'll be a lot of better fireworks shows than the one put together by the major league baseball team.

[Chris Cote]

What would constitute where you're there watching. You're like fireworks show kind of sucks.

[Dan LeBatard]

Kids crying, them being asleep, us planning to go to see fireworks with them but then leaving early because they're fussy because it's late for them. 9 innings 2 kids woof at starting at 7, 10. If I see the fireworks tomorrow, I will be shocked. I will be shocked if I see the fireworks.

[Stugotz]

How do the kids feel about fireworks?

[Dan LeBatard]

They don't have feelings yet. They're too young. Yeah, they feel how I developed feelings. How I tell them how they feel about fireworks. They're probably horrified, crying. If I were to guess one of them likes it when we do it like in the driveway and stuff. So she'll probably like it. The two year old or the soon to be two year old will probably Start crying and be scared even though it's far away, but it's loud. I don't know. We'll see. We can talk them into it. They've seen them at Disney and they're like sometimes okay with it, sometimes not.

[Stugotz]

Chris, Cody, I will say to you that there have been two or three times over the last month that I have been away from the show and just laughing about something that you had offered on the show. And one of them was the principal, the life principal principle of never feeling more alive than when you're jogging slowly away from the fireworks as the fuse goes.

[Dan LeBatard]

A backpedal if you're really feeling it. Zaz, you're a Disney guy.

[Chris Cote]

What does that mean?

[Dan LeBatard]

Like, do you. That you take your kids to Disney? I guess your kids are older now. They may be out of the Disney phase.

[Chris Cote]

We used to.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes, well, because like I, we.

[Chris Cote]

We don't feel like you are.

[Dan LeBatard]

But you know what that means.

[Stugotz]

He's got grown teenagers.

[Chris Cote]

Like, that's my personal. I'm a Disney guy.

[Dan LeBatard]

Like, do you like to go to Disney?

[Chris Cote]

No. No, I don't actually.

[Dan LeBatard]

Okay, never mind then. I'm not gonna tell you waiting.

[Chris Cote]

It's the most overrated place there is Disney.

[Dan LeBatard]

So, I mean, very clearly not. You could have just said no, you know, you're not. Why aren't you?

[Chris Cote]

No, but you're asking like, is it a place I used to take my kids?

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Chris Cote]

Yeah, I did.

[Tony]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

I'd be careful with that opinion given that you're a climbing star at ESPN.

[Chris Cote]

I'm allowed to not want to stand in a three hour line in 95. I'm telling you, you're not doing it right. Lightning lanes nowadays you can get.

[Dan LeBatard]

There's not as long lines as.

[Chris Cote]

Dan, I feel like you haven't been there in forever. Do you understand how expensive it is?

[Stugotz]

I have been there in the last. I'm going to say five years. And I there right before we left ESPN with those passes that Chris talks about. And if you have those passes, it's a great experience. You're not waiting in any lines.

[Chris Cote]

Well, I'd slow down on that.

[Billy Corben]

No, you got different.

[Dan LeBatard]

You had different passes. We just able to go in not waiting some day, like some random Wednesdays we could go in for free.

[Chris Cote]

I know you had like there's the line where you wait incredibly long and then there's the lightning pass, which is you just wait long.

[Stugotz]

Zaz, you're a rising star at espn. You have to make asks to make your Disney experience better. You have asks that you can make.

[Chris Cote]

I get comps, I get comp tickets.

[Stugotz]

But you can get better than that because.

[Chris Cote]

Really?

[Stugotz]

Yes.

[Billy Corben]

No, Dan could get better than that. No, there's a disconnect here.

[Stugotz]

There's Az is a rising star. Do not question Zaz's rising stardom.

[Dan LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats podcast.

[Stugotz]

Not surprisingly, at the beginning of the shadow show, I asked Billy why it is that he was mad. We still do not know. We have not gotten an answer to the question of what it is that he was upset about. He stomped in today.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, Zaz wanted to talk about Disney. So what are we supposed to do? He's the co host today. He brings up Disney. We go down the Disney path.

[Chris Cote]

That's right.

[Stugotz]

The Marlins last night had a chance to put all of us in place so that we had a Billy live watch party tonight as the Marlins went for a winning streak larger than any winning streak in franchise history. I liked Billy watching nine innings of Twins Marlins baseball, but he was denied that because The Marlins lost 2 to 1 and their eight game winning streak, which could have become nine and tied the franchise record, dissolved because of controversy. We sent Jeremy Tache out to Marlins Park. We'll have a live report from the controversy. What was the controversy? Billy.

[Dan LeBatard]

So it was. It was in the sixth inning. We have the video here. If you want to see the video here. For those of you who are on YouTube who are not tuned in to Marlin's Twins. So Kyle Stowers just hits a ball that seems to be a base hit right up the middle. Runner on second base comes around to score. Everyone saying, okay, tie game, two, two. But no, if you look, the umpire throws up his hands and he says.

[Chris Cote]

Does it even hit him?

[Dan LeBatard]

I interfered with this play and, and if you watch it, I mean it barely grazed him if even that the run was sure to score anyways, ball doesn't even seem to really change directions. So what they end up doing is they don't say, okay, you know what? Runners on first and third. No, they sent Jesus Sanchez back to second base when he was halfway third base with his lead anyways and said no dead ball. Runner doesn't advance and there's no review of this. It remains a 2:1 game.

[Stugotz]

For those of you not watching, there was a runner in scoring position at second base. It's a line drive, clear as day up the middle. No one's near it except the umpire. The second baseman in the shortstop are nowhere near it. The ball is hit Hard the ball. The only reason I know that the ball hit the umpire is because the umpire immediately threw his hands up to say it had hit him. And that's an automatic dead ball. But even on replay, I cannot tell that the. You're slowing it down for me, freezing it for me. And I still can't tell that the ball hit the umpire. And you're mad. You knew the rule beforehand, right? That if it hits the umpire, it's an immediate dead ball, but you didn't know that they send Sanchez back to second.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think everyone was confused. And, you know, on the call, Tommy Hutton was. You know, Tommy Hutton, he was not happy with the way.

[Chris Cote]

Well, he got. He upset.

[Dan LeBatard]

You know, I don't. He seemed a little hot under the collar after this call.

[Stugotz]

He always does, though. At Lebatard show. Does Tommy Hutton always seem a little bit hot under the collar? You guys are with me on this. When I said yesterday that I've rarely been more scared during a sporting participation than playing third base in a softball game against Ozzy and Jose Canseco. That's why right there, the way the ball comes off Stowers bat like that is an umpire who's not anywhere near where that ball is being hit. And he does not have the speed the.

[Dan LeBatard]

Exactly where the ball is being hit.

[Stugotz]

The exit velocity on what it is that's happening there. He doesn't have the speed to get out of the way.

[Chris Cote]

Can we be honest, though? That's garbage reflex by the umpire. It is. That's that, like, whatever. All right? He's not standing in front of the pitcher's mound. That's garbage reflex. If you're gonna stand there like, it's your job, okay? You got to stand there. It's also your job to not get hit by that ball. And that's garbage. That's garbage reflex.

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, it didn't impact the play. And also, I feel like, if we're gonna be honest, he wasn't paying attention.

[Chris Cote]

I don't think. I don't think it hit him.

[Dan LeBatard]

You don't think it hit him?

[Chris Cote]

No, I don't hit him.

[Dan LeBatard]

It clearly changes direction.

[Billy Corben]

What's weird is it actually English on that ball?

[Chris Cote]

Physics.

[Billy Corben]

The deflection actually carries it closer to the second baseman, which is. I mean, Marlin's got bone there.

[Dan LeBatard]

Mm. He should be diving. Like, if he's diving to catch, but in the opposite direction, out of the way. If he was paying attention, I think he's in that no man's land. Or it's like, I'M not calling balls and strikes. There's not anyone on first.

[Chris Cote]

No, I know what it is.

[Dan LeBatard]

What do I have to do?

[Chris Cote]

I know what happened. It's garbage reflex.

[Stugotz]

I do like Billy's theory, though, that the umpire was thinking about other things. There's so much time out there to be thinking about other things that it is possible that he just wasn't paying. I mean, think about how many times times he's standing behind the pitcher board and the ball's not hitting him, not hit anywhere near him. And he doesn't have to worry.

[Dan LeBatard]

He's watching the runner on second base. Is it going to be a pickoff?

[Chris Cote]

No.

[Dan LeBatard]

No one's even covering second base. Like, what am I doing with my life? There have to be times where the. The umpires down the line.

[Chris Cote]

This is what I'm have a check swing.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's exactly daydreaming.

[Chris Cote]

Yes. And all of a sudden the home plate, uh, is pointing down to them and they're just like, nope. Like, they just have to say something totally with you. That definitely happens. Where you weren't paying the closest attention at third to the checks.

[Stugotz]

They're coming to me. Yeah. The umps having marital problems.

[Chris Cote]

Like.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, just something. Just something. There's something wrong with the tuition payment. Like, just there. He's thinking about something.

[Dan LeBatard]

Checking in on parlays or something.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, that too. That you.

[Dan LeBatard]

Not baseball guys. Okay.

[Billy Corben]

Well, he's really happy about his Twins like that parlay.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, he's probably also thinking, like, you know what, like tomorrow noon game. What are doing you. Maybe I can move my flight back a little bit, head to the beach or something.

[Stugotz]

Time to throw away all journalistic credibility and get reckless. Here is something we like to call reckless speculation.

[Dan LeBatard]

You're good. I'm good. Someone's good.

[Stugotz]

You're good.

[Billy Corben]

He's on the. He's on the take.

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, I didn't say that.

[Stugotz]

You did kind of.

[Dan LeBatard]

I did not know. I said not baseball, kind of.

[Stugotz]

You can't be an umpire and bet on other parlays.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. He could be betting on the wnba, could he not?

[Stugotz]

I don't believe that.

[Dan LeBatard]

Commissioner's cup was just the other day.

[Stugotz]

Going to guess that there's a rule against umpires doing any gambling of any sort. I'm also going to guess possibly that umpires aren't even allowed to go into a casino in Vegas.

[Chris Cote]

That they're not allowed. They're definitely not allowed that.

[Dan LeBatard]

Really?

[Chris Cote]

Yeah. You can't go in a casino.

[Dan LeBatard]

What if they want to go see a Magic show better hustle in and.

[Chris Cote]

Out of that casino.

[Dan LeBatard]

If you get caught off guard down the line with a check swing, you always just go, no swing, right? Yes. You can't throw this game swing if you're just like.

[Billy Corben]

I've always theorized this.

[Chris Cote]

No clue.

[Billy Corben]

They're not locked in on every. Can't be right.

[Stugotz]

Put it on the poll, please. At lebatard show, if the umpire is daydreaming on a check swing, is he just going to hold his hands out in the safe gesture like, it's too.

[Chris Cote]

Much paying attention to be locked in on every pitch when you're standing at third.

[Stugotz]

And there had to be one where.

[Chris Cote]

It'S like that one I was locked in on.

[Dan LeBatard]

They didn't ask me. I want the honest umpire that, like, points down the first base. That umpire points to second base, like me. You got it? What do you think?

[Chris Cote]

Or.

[Stugotz]

Or just a shrug.

[Chris Cote]

It could just be. In the NBA, that happens all the time with the referees who are like, he looks for help. He doesn't know if it went. Who it went out on. Why does that never happen at first base? They always know.

[Billy Corben]

You know what drives me crazy in basketball? When the official furthest away from the play makes a call.

[Chris Cote]

Oh, yeah.

[Billy Corben]

Oh, my.

[Stugotz]

That's your call.

[Chris Cote]

Come on.

[Stugotz]

Hey, that's his call.

[Billy Corben]

He didn't. He didn't say anything.

[Dan LeBatard]

Come on, NBA officials. We can say bet on the games, right? I mean, that's.

[Stugotz]

Hold on.

[Dan LeBatard]

Right? No, I mean, damn. That's not even time to throw away.

[Stugotz]

Journalistic credibility and get reckless. Here is something we like to call reckless speculation.

[Billy Corben]

By the way, did you see the Malik Beasley stuff? Like, we. I told you there are other factors in life. It isn't necessarily a dude trying to cash a teaser. This guy seemed to be under it a little bit.

[Stugotz]

Well, that's what I was saying to you guys. When you don't know what someone's financial issues are, no matter how many millions they're into, and you don't know what someone's gambling problem is either.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah, well, that's. That's where I took offense. Like, he may not have the gambling problem. He may be doing something for someone else that does because he's under it.

[Stugotz]

That's right. And I believe that that is the general danger that everyone has underestimated in normalizing and enjoying gambling the way that this show does.

[Chris Cote]

But wouldn't the danger be when it's not regulated so it doesn't go checked like this?

[Billy Corben]

I'm with you. Like, everyone's just going to point and say, hey, there are more of these now. And it's clearly because gambling is legal and all these additional states, but these leagues have partnerships with these betting partners that hand over the data. It's what happened with Calvin Ridley where they hand over the data to the league and say, hey, this is suspicious. This is a pattern directly that wouldn't.

[Chris Cote]

Have been caught before it was legalized.

[Stugotz]

No.

[Billy Corben]

And it also goes without saying that this stuff, Malik Beasley. There are probably dozens upon dozens of examples of Malik Beasley's out there that have gone totally unchecked even with the current state of affairs with these checks and balances. But prior to. I mean, so many people got away with this.

[Chris Cote]

It happened for hundreds of years.

[Stugotz]

Yes.

[Chris Cote]

By the way, Terry Rozier cleared.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, we talked about that. And Mike Ryan was enjoying the fact that he was accused of fixing games, but was cleared and is simply bad at basketball and was accused of fixing games because he's that bad at basketball. But we have in play already what it is that I said about. About what it is they said about the umpire and check swings. Can you guys find for me information whether umpires or referees can indeed go into a casino of any kind? And I want to ask the poll question at Le Batard show, if umpires are not allowed in casinos, can an umpire go through the casino lobby to go to the magic show? Yes or no? Because I don't think you're allowed to gamble. But maybe the band extends to like you can't go at the Bellagio to see. Oh, either. Which would be the. The great hurt for an umpire who has no interest in gambling but perhaps is interested.

[Dan LeBatard]

What if you just like the Blue man group, you know, and you know you can't go anymore.

[Chris Cote]

He has to go outside.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah.

[Chris Cote]

To get to the theater.

[Billy Corben]

Yes. An MLB umpire can physically enter or walk through a casino so long as they do not violate MLB's gambling rules.

[Chris Cote]

All right.

[Stugotz]

But they can't gamble on anything. Correct.

[Billy Corben]

They're not would be violating MLB's game.

[Stugotz]

Can they gamble on lotto? Are umpires allowed to gamble on the lottery? And also put this on the poll. Does Rick Carlisle look like a retired member of the Blue man group at lebata show? Before I do any more Marlins talk because, Billy, I do want to get into this team and we've done enough of them.

[Billy Corben]

Probably MLB umpires can play the state lottery. They can even. They can even bet on other sports legally.

[Chris Cote]

Can they roll dice?

[Dan LeBatard]

How about the ponies?

[Billy Corben]

I assume if they can bet on other sports. Yeah, they can do that.

[Dan LeBatard]

Wow.

[Stugotz]

You were right, Billy. So you were totally.

[Dan LeBatard]

Apologies.

[Stugotz]

Yes, I will apologize to you because you were right.

[Billy Corben]

You know, guys, it feels pretty good when you accomplish something you've dreamt of. For a long time, I've been feeling really, really lucky to not just make.

[Chris Cote]

It to 30, but to be doing.

[Billy Corben]

All of the things I ever wanted to do, including working here on the Dan LeBatard show with Stu Yachts. And when you think about it, the origins of this show were once just a dream for them. That dream turned into the show and business that you're listening to today. And starting your own business is a dream that lots of us share, but too many of us just let it remain a dream. Don't hold yourself back thinking, what if.

[Chris Cote]

I don't have the skills?

[Billy Corben]

Or what if I can't do it alone? Those what ifs turn into why nots with Shopify by your side. Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, including 10% of all U.S. e commerce.

[Chris Cote]

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[Billy Corben]

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[Chris Cote]

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[Billy Corben]

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[Chris Cote]

Selling today at shopify.com batard go to.

[Billy Corben]

Shopify.Com batard shopify.com batard don lebatard john.

[Chris Cote]

Zaslo how you love that catchphrase.

[Stugotz]

Bad news for opposing teams in the triple air stugats. These are smiles till LeBron's like clutch again.

[Dan LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugach.

[Stugotz]

Before I go any further though, I would like to address with the group when was the last time particularly that you saw the flames and the volume get this high on the Miami Heat? Because a lot of people right now are mad at Barry Jackson because he's reporting the Miami Heat's quote unquote plan and it isn't much of a plan. And the Internet is pretty mad. Okay at in general what's happened to the Miami Heat. So you've got Evan Parsons 85 saying this is the type of that pisses me off them running propaganda ops through their big three Barry, Ethan and Lebatar, that's not gonna work anymore. And now whenever I hear them talk about the team, I feel like I'm being played. Biscayne, Maine says Heat culture is all about taking accountability. Unless you're the architect of the franchise putting together these teams. Big idiot Heat guy says, find someone who's willing to make excuses about you. In the same way Pat Riley is willing to make excuses for the mediocre ass Rocket roster he assembled. And then Greg Cylinder, the writer, says, a close friend who's been a Heat since, a Heat fan since before Riley just texted me, yeah, I'm out.

[Billy Corben]

They're just gonna continue to tread water. Which is what the one thing that Heat fans didn't wanna see after the years of frustration finally caught up to the majority of the fan base, there were subsects of the fan base that were like, I don't think this is the right path.

[Chris Cote]

I mean, I'm aggravated. I haven't been aggravated like this. And I don't know, you should be.

[Billy Corben]

I was talking to Billy before the show. I'm like, their plan is essentially to run it back. And he corre said, well, they're not running it back. Duncan Robinson isn't here anymore. They might actually be worse. Their plan is there was a part in this article of Barry's, which is the Heat don't feel like they actually got a fair shot to evaluate the roster because of all the chaos Jimmy Butler caused. Again, not exactly accepting your accountability on your part in the Jimmy Butler mess, Miami, but that's fine. They also blamed Andrew Wiggins ankle injury. They want to develop these young assets, hopefully trade for a superstar. But there is a huge flaw in the logic and even Barry Jackson admitted admits this. Say they develop guys. They already have two all stars in Tyler Hero and Bam and a bio their package. If they went all in on trying to acquire a a superstar like Giannis, they don't have a good hand compared to Houston or San Antonio. They're. They're still falling short. And the reason why they don't want to go in the other direction and Tank is because they point to several examples of where tanking doesn't work. They don't point to the Oklahoma City Thunder where it does work spectacularly. Do they not have confidence in their own ability to rebuild the roster? Their best trade assets are the two all Stars, Tyler Hill, Bam, Adebayo, we got a season. They blame the Jimmy Butler chaos, but.

[Stugotz]

We got the Rockets tanked too. Correct. The Rockets also tanked and got rewarded.

[Billy Corben]

For tank, and they took your lunch money on Kevin Durant, and they still have plenty of assets to go ahead and beat you to Giannis, so.

[Chris Cote]

Okay, but that's not hard. Why? They're not willing to do the tanking part. Rally's eight. That's why. Like, that part's not hard, but.

[Billy Corben]

Okay, so what's more important? Riley's age. And I'm just asking this question because you could answer that. Riley gets to go however he wants because he's the Godfather and he brought us all this success and he made the franchise relevant. But what is more important, Riley's age and his timetable or the betterment of the franchise?

[Stugotz]

I want to ask you guys a number of questions related to that point right there. Okay. That he just mentioned, because this is the loudest I've ever heard it around Pat Riley. Jeff Teague is saying, quote. You know what's so funny? What Pat said, at the end of the year, this won't be the same team as last year. Yeah, well, you're right. Actually, it won't. You let Duncan go, you got worse. Unless they are about to get Bradley Beal something or end quote, it's right on the money.

[Chris Cote]

And Pat said that it's not right on the money. The move that Jeff Teague wants him to make is getting Bradley Beal.

[Billy Corben]

No, it's right on the money. And calling out what Pat Riley said at the end of the year, which got he fans excited. All right. The godfather finally realizes he got hit in the face with the biggest blowout in NBA playoff history. There are changes coming, and the changes are Duncan Robinson isn't gonna be here anymore. That's true. Now, the Bradley Beal thing cast that to the side, but it's absolutely a fair accusation. And to me, it. It leads me to believe. Wait, there. There is an alignment here in what Pat said and what the final verdict was. So who's in charge?

[Stugotz]

Zaz, let's do this. Because I will say, when you say, who's in charge, this is an interesting one, right? Because I. I floated this guy to you guys before because this is a bit of a crossroads for the Miami Heat. And I've told you, the inner workings of this team aren't what people think it is. The people who run this team are Mickey and Nick Arison. Nick is Pat Riley's boss. When Mickey Arison came up through the cruise line industry, he was put in charge of everything when he was 30 years old. And he did the same thing for his son with this organization. And I'M not positive that Nick and Pat are connected right here where pat is at 80. I want to win right now, and I don't know if Nick would rather have the draft picks or not. And I don't know what kind of tension it might cost because it has caused tension and it's not big tension. But how do you imagine Pat Riley feels about reporting to Nick Arison, who used to be a ball boy? How do you imagine that would go in the places where there's disagreement and Nick has to win things? I don't know. I don't have the answer for you on how often Nick is overruling Pat. How often Nick is the deciding vote in the vote of five among the group of five that make the decision. But I will keep telling you again and again and no one seems to know this. The person that Pat Riley reports to is Nick Arison.

[Chris Cote]

Nick was probably 10 years old when Pat Riley got here. Right?

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Chris Cote]

I'm being serious. Like 19. He was probably 10 years old, something like that. And now it's his boss. But what wouldn't you assume, if we're just using common sense here, wouldn't you assume the CEO who is Nick Arison's age, whatever he's 40, whatever he is, and Pat Riley who is 80, wouldn't you assume that they're on completely different sides of how to move forward with this team? Like, wouldn't that be common sense?

[Dan LeBatard]

I think the way, though, that it comes off, whether it's intentional or not, is when it's good times, it's Pat Riley. When it's bad times, he can't do anything. It's not his fault.

[Stugotz]

But what, what I'm telling you is that Pat's not going to draft. He's not going to go for six draft picks like that. He's not going to do that. If you. What you guys got to tell me whether you're okay with this. This is what you have to answer for me if we're. If we're going to go ahead and flush out this hypothetical. You guys good with Pat Riley just stepping down because the Heat decided to go to rebuild?

[Billy Corben]

Yeah, I am. I good with it if that's what he decides on.

[Stugotz]

But he would. He would be. He would be being forced out because they're running the organization differently than you guys want it to be and differently than he would want it to be run.

[Billy Corben]

I just want the franchise to get to being a contender quickly.

[Dan LeBatard]

But how long is his leash is the question. Right. Because everyone's like, yeah, Pacing, go on his own terms. But like, if this is just the same thing every year for the next decade, how long is it going to be he can go out on his own terms for?

[Billy Corben]

Here's a couple of things that have bothered me about Miami Heat fans pushing back on this notion. Everyone points to the two finals in three years and you got to push.

[Chris Cote]

Him back on the notion that Pat Riley.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Billy Corben]

That he's done and that he's cooking. Hooked. Look, man, they won two Eastern Conference championships. Number one, the roster is totally different right now. Number two, that was a long time ago because the Dallas Mavericks were. It was a long time ago. The Dallas Mavericks were in the NBA Finals more recently than the Miami Heat and they were a punchline come Martin Luther King day. So we were all laughing at Dallas, but apparently we can't laugh at Miami for being the same kind of disaster I have. I genuinely don't know what is the quicker path. Path to being a contender? Writing it out. And presumably they hope that they can develop the young guys into assets that can somehow usurp the package that Houston and San Antonio could present for a superstar. Or just saying, Bam and Tyler are our best assets right now. Let's get a bevy of picks and do it the Houston way.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think the most damning thing about the Heat and Pat and just like the front office right now is it's crazy to say, but it was 10 years ago, so. 10 years ago you had LeBron James, you had Dwyane Wade, you had Chris Bosh, back to back titles. You were the toast of the town. You were the team everyone envied in the NBA. People hated. Whatever. Right. You took the town from the Dolphins and in 10 years you're on the precipice of losing the town to a hockey team. Well, you're trending towards losing the town to a hockey team that historically Miami has not cared about.

[Chris Cote]

Yeah, that's not true. I mean, as much as I love the Panthers and the Panthers, I mean, essentially get my attention first these days they're not in jeopardy of losing the town.

[Dan LeBatard]

You think if you go around the town, everyone's like, the Heat, the Heat, the Heat.

[Stugotz]

It's two different towns.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

Talking about Broward and Dade, it's two different places.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah. There are incremental gains in Miami Dade and they're going to have to keep chipping away. Like AJ Greer is having a party in Westchester tonight. That's something that would.

[Chris Cote]

Whoa. What's going on there? I don't know about that.

[Billy Corben]

A Fourth line winger is going to a local brewery to celebrate the Stanley cup in Westchester. These. It boggles the mind.

[Chris Cote]

Is he gonna have the cup? He's not gonna have the cup.

[Billy Corben]

They're putting the cup. Yeah, they're engraving.

[Stugotz]

To be fair, though, to what it is the he built here. Just to be clear. And Zaz is right about this, The Panthers are becoming something that is more of a Dade county team. The Heat, over the virtue of the last 20 years, are Dade and Broward.

[Billy Corben]

They're not just Dade, no doubt. But to Billy's point, Greg Cody wrote an entire column on this is like the shoes on the other foot now. The Panthers are what the Heat once were, and the Heat, with the great management in terms of where they are as a franchise and getting close to a championship and the perception and the respect that they garner from around the league and what the fans actually feel about their team's chances. The Miami Heat are stuck in the middle of no man's land right now.

[Stugotz]

They are. But let me just stop you guys for a second on what it is you're doing. First of all, I want to ask a question. Mike has now used this expression a handful of times over the last few weeks. He has commented on the taking of lunch money. Are we still doing lunch money given that we're not doing cash anymore?

[Billy Corben]

No, actually, the bill that just passed made sure that there is no more lunch money and no more lunch period.

[Stugotz]

The big, beautiful bill just passed this morning at 6:00am well, part of the.

[Billy Corben]

Deal was they can't call it that anymore because that triggers people.

[Stugotz]

All right? So. But lunch money money, physical lunch money, is that something that bullies still take? Put it on the poll at Lebatard Show. Is. Is lunch money still something that bullies take? But the place that I wanted to stop you guys and forgive the fire alarm, we're gonna just blow right through it because we're on live and we don't care.

[Chris Cote]

And we didn't get fired.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, we didn't get the preemptive. This is just a drill today, right?

[Stugotz]

We will continue to ignore these until one day we get the viral moment of all of us going up in flames here because we've ignored the fire alarm again. Again. But the thing that you guys do. And this is really easy to do, right, because we all get to be general managers, and no one holds us accountable for when we get it wrong. You say the Heat have failed the last few years. Well, you guys didn't want Harden. You didn't want Kyrie Irving. You didn't want them. They were. They were both available. They've just signed quietly elsewhere. It seems to have worked out. You didn't want those guys. You wanted Dave. And if you'd gotten him, you wouldn't be real happy right now if Damian Lillard had also gotten here. So all your moves end up. Move. They end up working even though they don't because Harden just signed quietly with the Clippers. Hasn't been an issue there. They love having him. $40 million a year. Kyrie Irving just signed quietly with Dallas. Doesn't seem to have any problems.

[Billy Corben]

I don't know if you're. What you're doing is right. Again, apologies for this fire alarm. That does not shut the up. We were talking about Tyler Herro for James Harden. That was an actual debate and a lot of people felt really strongly about getting James Harden. Kyrie Irving had a lot of off the court stuff going on at the time, and this was at the time where Miami was actually competing for Eastern Conference championships. But there were plenty of arguments to be made. I think most people landed on whatever the franchise decides on Damian Lillard. Yeah, we wanted Damian Lillard. Miami Heat wanted Damian Lillard too. And they approached that like total, all right. And they, they failed. In fact, every example that you cited, Miami kicked the tires and tried to put together something to get these players. And. And they failed.

[Chris Cote]

My biggest problem with the Heat's plan right now is they are seeming. It doesn't have to be seemly.

[Dan LeBatard]

They.

[Chris Cote]

Their MO is to have all these assets, young players, whatever draft picks they have, and they are waiting for a star player, a superstar player to get upset with his current situation and then they are going to pounce. And to me, that's not a plan like hoping that someone gets. Because it's plenty fold where you're hoping for someone to get angry enough to want to be out and then you're also open for that team to be willing. You're not just convincing a free agent to come to you. It's you have to convince that team to then send him to you. But in reality, that player has to make a mess of the situation so that it doesn't matter if another team has better assets than you. And that to me, me, that's not a plan.

[Stugotz]

Okay, you say it's not a plan, but I would say that it's been the transplant plan of Pat Riley since he got here. Go get Alonzo Morning. Go get Tim Hardaway. Go get Jimmy Butler. Go get LeBron James. Like he hit on Wade and changed his entire philosophy. Okay, I will trust young players. I'm not going to do it anymore the way that I did it with the Knicks and the Lakers.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, but what happens with Duncan Robinson, who's one of these guys who's on your roster who you don't end up trading because you believe in him? And now he's gone anyway ways. So you never traded him for a star and now you got nothing in return.

[Stugotz]

That's true. And you got a player that you invented out of nothing, as you've gotten the reputation for doing since drafting Dwyane Wade gave you the opportunity to change your entire philosophy on how it is Pat Riley does things because he now does trust young players in a way. That was the biggest knock on Pat Riley. The only knock on Pat Riley is he will not allow young players to grow. But when you say that's not a plan, what do you mean? Miami's a transient community. This franchise is absolutely has. Has rested for the last 15 years on the plan of we'll wait until somebody's mad where they are and we will get them because we have better tax breaks in Florida.

[Dan LeBatard]

But they don't get them.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, that.

[Chris Cote]

That hasn't. That example right there has not happened since Goron Dragic.

[Stugotz]

It happened with Jimmy Butler.

[Chris Cote]

Free agent, though.

[Stugotz]

But. But he was unhappy where he was. And they got Jimmy Butler when they didn't. When no one.

[Dan LeBatard]

Look how that played out too, though. Like, you get the disgruntled guy and then he comes in and he's disgruntled and he makes a mess and throws off your.

[Stugotz]

What do you mean? How did that work out?

[Billy Corben]

It.

[Stugotz]

Spectacular.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, it didn't. They championship culture. They didn't win a championship. Like, don't come with this. Of we're gonna win the championship or bust and then not win a championship. But we got super close.

[Billy Corben]

They failed him. And the Sixers. He wasn't disgruntled. The Sixers chose Tobias Harrison to move the roster in a different direction.

[Stugotz]

He was disgruntled with wherever he was in Minnesota and Philadelphia. He wanted his money. The thing that you guys are doing on this though, is that Jimmy Butler failed, but Kyrie Irving hasn't, or James Harden hasn't. Like they were the available guys. You wanted them. They've been successful, but they didn't get ultimate success. So they failed. They just got. Harden and Irving just got resigned because they failed in Dallas and Los Angeles.

[Billy Corben]

I'm not going to go as far as to say they fell short of their ultimate goal, which is a championship. They certainly, coach Spoelstra, certainly maximize the talent available on the roster. Pat Riley did fail because it was clear as from the day that we acquired Jimmy Butler, they needed a player better than Jimmy Butler to win a title. Now, Jimmy Butler made us think about that more than twice with incredible playoff performances. But the fact remained, they needed to get somebody better. They knew this. And along the way, players like that popped up that did the things that you want the disgruntled superstars to do. And the Miami Heat were in the mix, and usually that resulted in the Miami Heat getting those players. They didn't.

[Dan LeBatard]

They chose not to like. They didn't want to go all in to support Jimmy Butler.

[Billy Corben]

For some reason, they didn't want to.

[Dan LeBatard]

Go all in on Lillard, historically, who's a disgruntled person, became disgruntled again here because he felt like he wasn't getting the support that he was asking for. And now he left. And here they are.

[Tony]

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[Dan LeBatard]

Cool.

[Tony]

Sit on a beach, come back, sunburn, sand in your pocket and the same stress that you left with. It's not the long term option. It's not the long term fix. What has helped me lately is just taking small steps. I get some sun every morning. I do my little incline walks. Yes, I walk, walk on the treadmill at an incline. And I just try and stay ahead of the chaos happening at home. But sometimes that's not enough. And that's where therapy can really help. Not just if you're going through something heavy, but just to help you feel more like you. And better help makes it so easy. They're the biggest online therapy platform in the world. Over 30,000 therapists, 5 million people helped and 4.9 app store rating from almost 2 million reviews. That's not a fluke. As largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp Help can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Unwind from work. With BetterHelp, our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com DLB that's BetterHelp.

[Chris Cote]

H-lp.com DLB Dan LeBatard all these high.

[Stugotz]

Paid analysts, I don't want to mention names. Tnt, espm, you know. Oh yeah, they are dead.

[Dan LeBatard]

They cannot go.

[Stugotz]

They, they're not going to make it. You know, even if they win in, if they lose in Miami, I need to calm you down. That's right.

[Billy Corben]

They lose in Miami.

[Stugotz]

They don't get a chance in Boston or they are going to have their ass.

[Billy Corben]

You know what in Boston, you know, stugats.

[Dan LeBatard]

They were wrong.

[Stugotz]

Are they going to lose their job?

[Chris Cote]

No.

[Stugotz]

Are they going to get a cutting page? No. What are they going to do?

[Chris Cote]

Keep predicting.

[Stugotz]

What is the obvious. They are going to say, oh, the Nuggets are going to win. Oh, Denver, the other into. And you know what?

[Billy Corben]

The Heat are going to win.

[Stugotz]

It all this is the Dan Levatar show with the St.

[Dan LeBatard]

Gods.

[Stugotz]

So I want to ask everybody this question because you've heard me say a number of different times. Times while watching, for example, the Patriots. I can't even imagine what Boston sports radio is right now when it comes to conversations about the Patriots because you get so spoiled of we expect to win the championship a third of the time. The Miami Heat have placed the standard in a place that makes all of this louder than it has been at any time, at least in part because of where they place the standard of oh, the fan base is used to getting whoever or whatever they want and now when they don't get get the people they want. You guys say that Jimmy Butler is a failure somehow or the Jimmy Butler experience was a failure when it went from Dion Waiters and Hassan Whiteside to they're in the Finals twice.

[Billy Corben]

Can we travel back in time, though, momentarily? What was the general feeling when the Miami Heat got pretty much beat up by the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals?

[Stugotz]

Not good enough.

[Billy Corben]

They're not good enough. Everyone agreed. Incredible season. Maximize it. Hell yeah, we beat Boston. That feels amazing. But if we want to win a title, we know we got to get better. Three years have gone by of them failing to get better. They've gotten worse. I think after three years. And I was sounding the alarms after they made the final saying that this isn't good enough. And I was confused as everybody else around us got better. All right, that's fine. Year one, maybe I knee jerk. Year two, start listening to me. Year three, that's why the Flames are as high as they've ever been.

[Stugotz]

I understand. Bam said at the last presser, there are going to be a lot of changes this summer. Be prepared for that. And there hasn't been anything since. And I understand the frustration. The place that I'm just stopping you guys at the risk of being accused a mouthpiece. Being accused of being a mouthpiece for.

[Chris Cote]

The Heath, you're part of the Big Three.

[Stugotz]

I am part of the Big Three. I didn't like my ranking there. Barry, Ethan, then me.

[Billy Corben]

Well, you occasionally go into it, you build up. You're not as consistent as the other.

[Stugotz]

Guys because I don't. I'm. I am never, ever leaked anything volunteered. That's not something the organization does. I sometimes go around and ask questions. But the demand being made, I get it. I get the frustration. But please understand, when you point to me and you say, okay, they did what they did with Jimmy Butler and got to the finals and then weren't good enough. And then you're saying, you know what I realized during the finals? Need someone better than Jokic. Okay. Okay, you win. No, but you win.

[Billy Corben]

Need someone better than Jimmy. And that was consistent. That was a six year conversation.

[Stugotz]

You get to Denver and the reason you lose is because Jimmy's not a as good as Jokic.

[Billy Corben]

Right. But what we were worried about wasn't necessarily like, look, they got to make it through the West. Hopefully someone takes Jokic out before you get there. But. But it wasn't. It wasn't a sustainable business model being able to beat Boston. It was wonderful that you did it as many times as you did, but everybody else continued to improve and we didn't.

[Stugotz]

You say a sustainable model? I would say that the Heat selling out their arena has been a sustainable model for 15 years because they've been relevant. And I would also say that while Pat Riley set the standard at championship or bonus bust, it makes damn near every player in the league a bust to make it championship or bust. Because by that definition, Jimmy Butler is a bust. By. By that definition.

[Dan LeBatard]

Agreed. We're on the same page.

[Stugotz]

I don't. I don't agree with that.

[Dan LeBatard]

You just said it.

[Stugotz]

I don't agree with it.

[Dan LeBatard]

You said it.

[Stugotz]

We agree by that definition.

[Billy Corben]

Well, Jimmy Butler agrees. And whether you think it's performative or not, he has given plenty of interviews since his departure. And even while he was here being allegedly happy since saying we, we failed.

[Stugotz]

Right. And Luca failed last year and then was traded because he's a bus too.

[Dan LeBatard]

We're just going to keep Pat Riley a pass forever. Like, he could just do whatever he wants.

[Chris Cote]

I don't think anyone's giving him that pass right now.

[Stugotz]

Well, first of all, he's not getting a pass. Second of all, if anyone in sports were to get a Pat Riley or forever pass, I'd name it after Pat Riley because same.

[Dan LeBatard]

Because he gets it forever.

[Stugotz]

Well, just. I don't know what. So what would you do, Billy? Say it.

[Dan LeBatard]

What would I do right now? Just say, I think Pat Riley needs to go. I don't think that anyone's been beating around the bush.

[Stugotz]

So fire him.

[Dan LeBatard]

Would I fire him? I mean, I would say I think that we need to move in a different direction.

[Stugotz]

Fire him.

[Billy Corben]

Would that necessarily be fired? Like, he may decide to resign if. If Nick Erison tells him, hey, we just don't agree with your plan. We're going to trade. Bam. We're going to trade Tyler. This is the direction that the franchise is going to go into. And I can see Pat Riley saying, I don't want to be a part of that. I'm just going to willingly step down. You never fight. Pat Riley should never be fired.

[Stugotz]

This, this thing that you guys.

[Dan LeBatard]

But he's not going to leave on his own volition.

[Billy Corben]

I think he might if that's. If that's presented to him. Dan would know if the.

[Stugotz]

If that hypothetical. I have not asked, so I don't know that. And I'm just throwing it out there as a hypothetical though. But it would make sense. It's a logical hypothetical for Nick to have not been in charge for as long as he has been and to want to be in charge now that they're making a change. I would say to all of you that though, if you're firing Pat Riley, then you're also saying that the rest of it isn't because SPO SPO has a tremendous amount to do with every decision being made around there. He's 1/5 of it's him.

[Dan LeBatard]

But you see like now it's not Pat Riley. It's Eric Spoelstra's fault isn't working out.

[Stugotz]

Everyone.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's just never Pat Riley's fault. Everyone.

[Chris Cote]

Dude, we're the only ones talking about the five.

[Dan LeBatard]

Everybody nationally.

[Chris Cote]

It's just every. Everyone you put on television. Stephen A. Smith only refers to Pat Riley. He never says Nick Harrison or Andy Ellis outside of us on this show right here saying that there's a five headed monster here. I don't hear anyone else. Everyone else is just Pat Riley.

[Stugotz]

And that's okay though. But that's, that's how the whole thing is set up. It has worked for many years.

[Dan LeBatard]

So what would you do?

[Billy Corben]

And it'll.

[Dan LeBatard]

By the way, if this, if this is not working according to you, what would you do?

[Billy Corben]

If I, if I may, before you answer that, that that perception nationally is how. How Pat Riley likes it. Yeah, that's why Pat Riley is the one that's doing the end of season.

[Chris Cote]

I think it's how the organization likes.

[Stugotz]

How the Harrisons like it.

[Billy Corben]

No, it's mutually beneficial. And Pat loves going out there and gassing up the Heat fans, talking about whales and talking about changes and leaning into the Godfather. Ness of that.

[Stugotz]

You say he loves that, but there's a reason he only talks to the press once or twice a year now. He doesn't actually want to do much now.

[Dan LeBatard]

He doesn't love his attention. Versace man with his slicked back hair.

[Stugotz]

Doesn'T like the spotlight he doesn't like to get in Spoelstra's way on whatever the voice for the organization is. And so he doesn't actually speak very much. And everyone. I told you guys this recently, everyone in Hollywood says that the big documentaries that can get made by anybody at any time are Larry Bird and Pat Riley.

[Billy Corben]

Can we trade that in for Giannis? Like, can we. The provisional green light for Pat Riley's documentary. Is that a trade ship for us?

[Stugotz]

Let me ask Larry Bird.

[Dan LeBatard]

Larry would be so boring. Imagine Larry Bird documentary.

[Stugotz]

There's stories by others that would be.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think a Larry Bird documentary in theaters would be out of theaters by week two.

[Billy Corben]

Really? You don't think so?

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, it'd be a massive loss.

[Billy Corben]

He's famously like a great talker. He's the hick from French Lick, the rivalry with magic dating back to college. Being a white guy in Boston. I think there are plenty of interesting stories in Boston. No, no, no. But you know what I mean.

[Stugotz]

Let me answer Billy's question here, because I don't want to avoid it when he says what it is that I would do. And I will say that you can catch me in inconsistency here locally if you rem. Remember, as my father does, how insulted Don Chula was that I called for his replacement in the Miami Herald Cobbler when he has the same kind of reputation that Pat Riley does in this town and with billing, building this organization.

[Dan LeBatard]

That doesn't get the same attention as.

[Stugotz]

My dad's trademarino column.

[Chris Cote]

You did a Fire Shula column?

[Stugotz]

Yeah, because I wanted to replace Jimmy Johnson. And so what I'm sure.

[Chris Cote]

Look grilled him.

[Stugotz]

Well, yeah, he was mad at me. But what I was telling. What I'm say to Billy in terms of an answer on the Miami Heat is I would be fine, actually, with you telling me that the Miami Heat have a different plan for Pat Riley that will have a graceful exit for him. And you have a better solution for me, like, because it's just going to be spo in charge of the organization.

[Chris Cote]

Right. What would change if Riley's not running.

[Dan LeBatard]

The show, you bring in someone else to run the.

[Stugotz]

I don't think they would, though, be.

[Chris Cote]

Someone in the organization.

[Stugotz]

It's going to be somebody the Arisons want.

[Chris Cote]

Adam Simon, probably.

[Stugotz]

It's going to be. It's going to be somebody that the Erisons already know. And, you know, the Erisons aren't going to make it look like Pat Riley was fired. Like, that's not. That's not ever going to happen.

[Dan LeBatard]

Okay, but not the arisons. What would Dan Levatar do? This is not what would get me someone better. Give me better. Okay, is SPO better? And if you find someone better, what do you do?

[Stugotz]

No, SPO is not better because spo's already there. He's already doing it. Like what. What's. What's better about SPO being in charge?

[Billy Corben]

Seem to be a lot of people better at it right now. In the NBA over the last three years, it's hard to argue.

[Stugotz]

Give me a name that would excite you guys.

[Dan LeBatard]

Sam Presti.

[Billy Corben]

I would love Brad Steven scenario. Give me Brad Steven Stevens. Jeremy, you know something about me, right? You know when I'm grilling outside and it's summertime? You know how I supplement my summertime? Of course I do. I make it Miller time. Of course. That beautiful white can. Oh, when it's so hot outside, I just. I just put it right to my forehead right there. And I just roll it sometimes right on the forehead, Cool my body down. And then I crack it open. Instant relief. And then that first sip, brother, does that first hit. That is a top five sequence of events that you can possibly go through. I'm just serenity now. When I just imagine that first sip of Miller Light, just thinking about it.

[Dan LeBatard]

It'S making me happy.

[Billy Corben]

Dude, the sun is out. It's nice. You have your friends showing up. You got your family there. You just had your first sip of Miller Lite. And you know what? You're happy. You're blissful. You're fulfilled. I've been stocking my cooler with Miller Lite four years and for good reason. It's brewed for taste only. 96 calories and 3.2 grams of carbs. This year, Miller Lite turns 50. That is five decades of cookouts, laughs, and ice cold moments that never miss. It's the original light beer. And it's still my Go to 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. Cheers to 50 years of Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.