Local Hour: Pat Riley Made Dan Lose Sleep

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Local Hour: Pat Riley Made Dan Lose Sleep
Release Date: January 8, 2025

---

Introduction

In this episode of the Local Hour, Dan Le Batard and Stugotz delve deep into the intricate dynamics of the Miami Heat organization, focusing particularly on Pat Riley's leadership and its impact on both the team and Le Batard himself. The discussion is marked by candid critiques, personal anecdotes, and a blend of humor and serious analysis.

Pat Riley’s Influence and Leadership

Billy Gill opens the conversation by highlighting Pat Riley's pivotal role in the Miami Heat's success. He praises Riley as "the most successful sports story" in Miami, establishing a high standard for the team that emphasizes excellence and sustained performance.

"Pat Riley... I admire the people across the street on how they do business more than I've ever admired anything in sports in the history of this city."
[05:00] Billy Gill

However, Gill also expresses his frustrations with Riley's management decisions, suggesting that despite Riley's past successes, recent strategies have led to challenges for the team.

The Dark Side of Success: Internal Conflicts

The hosts discuss the metaphorical "crime family" that operates within the Miami Heat organization, led by Pat Riley. Billy Gill shares unsettling experiences with members of this inner circle, illustrating the tough and sometimes hostile environment Riley has cultivated.

"The crime syndicate across the street is run by a mafia boss we've been calling the Godfather for 15 years. And the guys, the people who've gotten here recently... have got all the power over me."
[06:00] Billy Gill

Gill recounts a specific incident where a security guard physically intimidated him, emphasizing the severe internal pressures and the lengths Riley's team will go to maintain control.

"He put a finger in my elbow in a way that paralyzed the right side of my body. And nobody saw that he did it."
[11:00] Billy Gill

Criticism of Pat Riley’s Recent Decisions

Despite Riley's illustrious career, Gill criticizes his recent handling of team acquisitions and player management, particularly regarding Jimmy Butler. He questions Riley's ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of the NBA and suggests that his methods may no longer be effective.

"Pat Riley might try to spite him here somewhere by sending him. Trying to send him somewhere. And he can't send him anywhere because Jimmy Butler's going to dictate the terms."
[09:30] Billy Gill

Mike Ryan and Stugotz back Gill's sentiments, emphasizing Riley's shortcomings in securing superstar talent and managing player relationships effectively.

"Pat Riley went out there and got him. Jay Crowder, I'll remind you, and Andre Iguodala. So, like, this thought process that he didn't get him any stars is just absurd."
[16:00] Mike Ryan

The Struggle with Team Performance

The discussion moves to the Miami Heat's performance metrics under Riley's leadership. Despite frequent appearances in the NBA Finals, the team hasn't secured a championship in recent years, leading to increased scrutiny and criticism.

"Since 2007, they have been to the NBA Finals seven times. They've won three NBA titles."
[15:30] Mike Ryan

Billy Gill argues that the team's inability to consistently secure top-tier talent like multiple Jimmy Butlers has hindered their championship prospects, despite Riley's previous successes.

"So what if he's driven Shaq out of town? Thank you, Pat. So what if he drove away LeBron James?"
[17:00] Stugotz

Personal Reflections and Host Dynamics

Throughout the episode, the hosts blend personal reflections with their analysis. Billy Gill shares his personal challenges, including sleepless nights caused by the internal dynamics of the Heat organization and his complex relationship with Pat Riley.

"Pat Riley... I really admire the people across the street... but I am hesitant to criticize people. Not because I'm afraid of them, because I respect them, because I love them."
[07:00] Billy Gill

The conversation also touches on past comments made by the hosts, such as criticisms of Tom Brady, highlighting the evolving nature of their perspectives and the potential inconsistencies in their critiques.

"You said that Tom Brady is washed."
[47:30] Billy Gill

Proposed Actions and Future Directions

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts brainstorm unconventional ways to honor Pat Riley while simultaneously expressing their frustrations. The idea of erecting a statue of Riley that both honors and subtly critiques his leadership is proposed, showcasing the blend of respect and dissent present in their discussions.

"We're building our own statue, and it's gonna be staring down the building... saying, you're nothing without me. I'm the Godfather."
[21:00] Stugotz

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a mixture of humor and unresolved tensions among the hosts. Despite their criticisms, there's an underlying respect for Pat Riley's legacy and his contributions to the Miami Heat. The conversation leaves listeners contemplating the complexities of sports leadership and the fine line between respect and critique.

---

Notable Quotes

• Billy Gill [05:00]: "Pat Riley... I admire the people across the street on how they do business more than I've ever admired anything in sports in the history of this city."
• Billy Gill [11:00]: "He put a finger in my elbow in a way that paralyzed the right side of my body. And nobody saw that he did it."
• Mike Ryan [15:30]: "Since 2007, they have been to the NBA Finals seven times. They've won three NBA titles."
• Stugotz [17:00]: "So what if he's driven Shaq out of town? Thank you, Pat. So what if he drove away LeBron James?"
• Billy Gill [07:00]: "Pat Riley... I really admire the people across the street... but I am hesitant to criticize people. Not because I'm afraid of them, because I respect them, because I love them."
• Stugotz [21:00]: "We're building our own statue, and it's gonna be staring down the building... saying, you're nothing without me. I'm the Godfather."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a candid look into the challenges and triumphs within the Miami Heat organization, spearheaded by Pat Riley. Through personal anecdotes and critical analysis, Dan Le Batard and Stugotz explore the fine balance between admiration and constructive criticism in the high-stakes world of professional sports management.

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

You're listening to Giraffkings Network.

[Stugotz]

You know that sound? It's the sound of money hitting your Venmo account. A friend paying you back. Or maybe it's getting cash back from your favorite business when you pay with the Venmo debit card. Or it's realizing you can pay with Venmo at checkout at thousands of brands now there are so many more ways to answer the question. What's your Venmo? Download Venmo. Today the Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A. pursuant to license by MasterCard International Incorporated. DOSH Cash Back Terms apply.

[Dan Le Batard]

You know what's smart? Enjoying a fresh gourmet meal at home that you didn't have to cook. Meat. Factor your loophole in the laws of mealtime. Chef crafted meals delivered with a tap, ready in just two minutes. You know what's even smarter? Treating yourself without cheating your goals. Factor is dietitian approved, chef prepared and you plated. Pretty smart, huh? Refresh your routine and eat smart with factor. Learn more@Factor Meals.com this is the Dan.

[Stugotz]

Levator show with the Stugats podcast.

[Billy Gill]

A deep dark secret is in the shadows of our very popularly received oral history. Is that the secret best producer that this show has ever had has been in disguise for many, many years. Billy Gill, always hiding in the shadows to do the important things that make our show the funny thing that it used to be back in its prime. And Billy Gill today has done me the fav as for many years he has simply been somebody who's been against me rolling grenades and anarchist. I agree Billy and I haven't been able to get him to serve many of these grid of death penalties over the years because somehow he's got all the power over me and somehow he doesn't have to suffer any penalties. I'm the commissioner or wear any costumes and I'm in costumes 10 times as often as well.

[Mike Ryan]

You like it?

[Stugotz]

I mean, yeah, it's a kink.

[Billy Gill]

And finally today, Billy is paying a punishment and it delights me. It's the correct way to produce this show. So thank you Billy Gill for quietly in the shadows. It's not getting enough notice in the oral history Billy Gill, secret producer of all the good things that have happened around here. Thank you for finally doing something that is meant to aid me as opposed to working against me. Good work, Billy.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah.

[Billy Gill]

What is the. What is the punishment you are serving today? What is that?

[Stugotz]

I have no idea. I'm dressed like a dinosaur. I came in and they Said, you got to dress like a dinosaur today. And I said, you know what? Dan needs this. I'm going to. I'm going to be a dinosaur. I don't even know which team lost.

[Billy Gill]

Dan needs this.

[Stugotz]

Dan needs a dinosaur today. I'm going to be a dinosaur.

[Billy Gill]

All right, Billy, this is what I need from you today. Okay? If you could at any point before we get to the post game, I need from you today to go viral with a super serious take of some sort that is shocking and just really resonates and is given while you're wearing that costume. Tell me what guests I got to get you in order to get the proper amount of fame and awkwardness around it. But I. Can you promise me that you will say something today with the attempt or everything today with the attempt to get you in costume to go viral?

[Mike Ryan]

I guess, if that's what you need, Dan.

[Billy Gill]

It is what I need.

[Stugotz]

Talk about the Gulf of America. What are you doing?

[Billy Gill]

Well. Yes, well. So, okay, let's not talk about the fires in California right now. Let's not talk about the Gulf of America right now.

[Stugotz]

Beautiful name.

[Billy Gill]

This. This is a serious thing I want to discuss with you guys because I have had trouble the last couple of days, and I'm a little bit embarrassed to say this. Honestly. I really am more than a little bit embarrassed. I feel bad about criticizing Pat Riley. Okay. And I'm going to explain to you something that's happening here that we work across from an arena that represents the single most successful sports story. My city, our city, the only city I've ever loved, has been. It is excellence that stole the town from the Dolphins and put the standard at a place where it is, hey, it's not good enough to get a Jimmy Butler. We expect to have three Jimmy Butlers. We expect it all the time. Because that's what you did the first time in 2010. That's where the standard is. I can't even imagine what it is to be a Patriots fan today. Like, they must be punching themselves in the face about what they. This team looks like firing a coach after what it is they've known as excellence. But so I really admire the people across the street on how they do business more than I've ever admired anything in sports in the history of this city and more than I've admired anything in the history of business in this city, because I know how shitty this city is at supporting things, and I know how excellent you have to be over a sustained period to steal the city from the Miami Dolphins.

[Mike Ryan]

You Got a call, huh?

[Stugotz]

I mean, but it sounds like.

[Billy Gill]

No, I will tell you. This is what I will tell you. I understand why you would come by that opinion. This is what actually happened. Okay? And I will tell you the truth on this. I did not get a call. I've been having trouble sleeping the last three nights for a number of different reasons, okay?

[Mike Ryan]

Riley's one of them.

[Billy Gill]

The Godfather is not one of them. Even though that is a crime family and even though he is the Godfather and that nickname is earned, I have not heard from Riley. It concerns me more than if I had. Allow me to make that clear again. Okay? The best sports history business I have seen in this city is the crime family across the street run by the Godfather. Miami is the city I'm talking about has a certain criminal element. The crime syndicate across the street is run by a mafia boss we've been calling the godfather for 15 years. And the guys, the people who've gotten here recently, loose lips with their criticism are awfully comfortable telling Pat Riley he doesn't know what he's doing in his job as the head of the crime family, the Godfather. And I don't think it's wise for me to be doing that.

[Mike Ryan]

Or Mike.

[Billy Gill]

Well, Mike, man, here's the thing, though, all right? What happened to me is I was thinking about this, right? I told you the other day, it was one of the great honors of my journalism lifetime, to have specifics. The specifics of you, Donna Haslam and Mike Miller say, come on the OG's podcast. We want to talk to you. And then afterward, have you done this? Of all people say to me, man, I really like that. A guy I've covered since high school who, as a member of that crime family, the muscle for that crime family, can tell you that the soul of that crime family is that when you. Donna's mother, she dies, and he's at her deathbed, the last time he sees her smile is when he tells her, I'm not going to Denver for 12 million more. I'm going to stay with the Godfather. And when she dies, the whole Heat contingent heads to Liberty City, and they help him grieve. Okay? Pat Riley, I will tell you now, is somebody throughout my life who has been there in meaningful grieving moments, pushing me to be better. Okay? As a. As. As a person, I found deep. And I have also helped him through some difficult things.

[Mike Ryan]

That's all you're doing here for him. I mean, full circle. I mean. All right, so that's what a friend does for another friend. Dan Riley did it for you. You're doing it for Riley. You can criticize, it's okay. You can take it.

[Billy Gill]

No, but more than that. More than that. Okay, because they listen to this show across the street. This crime family run by the Godfather listens to this show across the street. They're listening to it live now. It's in. It plays in their building.

[Mike Ryan]

They talk about me or.

[Billy Gill]

I don't. I don't know. I'm just telling you.

[Lorenzo]

Hello, Heat staff.

[Stugotz]

Hey, Lorenzo, send us some free merch.

[Jeremy]

It.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, we are. We are the programming over there. The heat. The Heat.

[Mike Ryan]

Watch this. Watch what I say.

[Billy Gill]

Well, this is something.

[Mike Ryan]

You're fine.

[Stugotz]

You definitely don't have to watch what you say. You got. You got all the talking points out.

[Jeremy]

Jerry even handed yesterday.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, yeah.

[Billy Gill]

This is the part that's uncomfortable for me to admit, and this is the part I genuinely need some therapy from the group on to walk me through this because I know the Jimmy Butler stuff is interesting, and I genuinely asked the question of you guys and the audience. So where is the correct line on me being properly fair? Also critical and acknowledging that you've got 50 years of expertise on something that all of us would defer to as saying, that's more excellent at what they do than we are at what we do. And while they were entitled to the criticism, I'm not going to say I know how to do that job better than Pat Riley has done it, and so I can be a critic. But this is the part that becomes complicated. Tim Donovan, the public relations director for 30 years who has served at Pat Riley's knee, like, this is the maximum soldier he is. You donis on the business side of being a Pat Riley guy.

[Mike Ryan]

Tim Donovan was with Pat Riley at the New York Knicks and came down and moved his life down here for the Godfather.

[Lorenzo]

He's a made man.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes, that.

[Billy Gill]

That. Thank you. Okay, you used a few words to say exactly what I was trying to say. Tim Donovan. Okay, I'm not even going to tell some of the stories here, okay, but my friends are afraid of Tim Donovan. Let me go another step here. The bald guy in security who ran over there to try to end the Rockets fight. And David, you've lost a step. You used to get there with your toes and knock everybody out before the thing started.

[Mike Ryan]

You're right. He used to get there quicker.

[Lorenzo]

He has a name, huh? He's always just been the bald guy to me.

[Stugotz]

He big timed me at a mass event.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't like knowing his name.

[Billy Gill]

Please Give people more information here, because this is one of the more mysterious figures in the history of this Mafia family. Like, just. I want people to know why I'm afraid right now of some of the things that I've done. I want. Like I've already told you that this bald guy who lost a step, that in the locker room one time, he sidled up next to me and put a finger in my elbow in a way that paralyzed the right side of my body. And it still hurt three days later. And nobody saw that he did it.

[Lorenzo]

Put a finger in your elbow?

[Billy Gill]

How he put it in here. And he grabbed me so hard with whatever it is his finger is made of that the right side of my body was paralyzed. But nobody saw it or noticed. I was in a room full of media people. He did it on the slide.

[Mike Ryan]

That's what he does.

[Billy Gill]

That's correct.

[Lorenzo]

Pressure, pointed.

[Mike Ryan]

You hurt so much, you don't even know what's happening.

[Billy Gill]

Three days later, inside, still hurt. Nobody saw he did it. I was in a room full of media witnesses.

[Mike Ryan]

He was just saying a lot.

[Billy Gill]

It was unbelievable. It was a warning. A clear and obvious warning, Roy. Yes, the Panthers in hockey is tough. The Panthers in hockey are not a crime family. Yeah, but the champions.

[Lorenzo]

It's honestly it made. When you said that you admire the Heat more than anyone in this market, like, ever. And it made me think of, what are the things in this market that you would admire? Like, I know, um, in the, like, the 90s and 80, like, early 2000s.

[Mike Ryan]

Um, early 2000s, um, in the 80s.

[Billy Gill]

Outside of the Heat, what have you.

[Lorenzo]

Admired in this market? Like, you don't have a lot of. I'm not saying you shouldn't admire the heat, but I. I started getting made sad by the other lack of options or things you could be admiring.

[Jeremy]

Luis Araya is not striking out a lot.

[Lorenzo]

Maybe Bonifacio that opening day, that cycle.

[Billy Gill]

You mean to tell me the last.

[Stugotz]

Five seasons for the Florida Panthers you.

[Billy Gill]

Haven'T admired at all?

[Stugotz]

Lids isn't even selling Panther stuff down here. It's impossible to find.

[Lorenzo]

You should admire what Bill Zito's doing.

[Mike Ryan]

The Panthers owner's name is Vinnie Viola. Yes, sir.

[Billy Gill]

And that's pretty close to being the Mafia. Okay? There's pretty close to being the Mafia name, and there's pretty close to being the Mafia when you. Donna's Haslam's your muscle. And the bald guy just. He made me surrender in the locker room, and no one saw it. But, yes, that bald guy, who does have a name, David he is somebody who's got a mysterious figure around the entirety of his aura. But Tim Donovan, who, again, is one of these Riley mafia soldiers, I will. I will probably betray a confidence here by. By telling you that. That Tim Donovan, that he benefits greatly from the Riley associations of being able to dress well. Because Riley's garment people have been famous since Showtime.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah.

[Billy Gill]

And this is a person who I love, and he's in charge of right now an empire that is going through an unprecedented turbulence. They don't have ever in their history. Shaq came down here, and when it was time for Shaq to go, Shaq didn't leave with the power. LeBron left with a lot of the power. But it didn't cripple the franchise. The franchise believes in the Belichick way of whatever. This is how excellence is made, LeBron. You don't make it for us, we make it for you. And in that earned arrogance, I'm hesitant to criticize people. Not because I'm afraid of them, because I respect them, because I love them. I don't want to pile on. And Riley gets the ending he deserves. Like what? The way Riley wishes for this to end with SPO in charge or whatever, they deserve that. This. This is a tribute for running a business. Well, in a very difficult market for 30 or 40 years. I'm assigning that grace that doesn't have a critic's heart in it, though. Like the critic will tell you, breathe fire. Oh, you'll get all the clicks for saying. For just saying. Even Levittard says Riley's washed when. I'm not saying that, and I would never say that.

[Stugotz]

Why did you say that?

[Mike Ryan]

It's disrespectful to spend two days saying it.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah. Weird.

[Stugotz]

I didn't say it. Lorenzo, send me some shirts.

[Mike Ryan]

Dan, I am with you. There is no. And I said this yesterday, and I'll say it again. There is absolutely no reason to criticize pat Riley. Since 2007, they have been to the NBA Finals seven times. They've won three NBA titles.

[Stugotz]

So what if he's missed out on all the big free agents and he hasn't been able to execute a trade for a superstar? I mean, look at all the stuff he has given us.

[Mike Ryan]

And so what, that it was Dwayne Wade who got LeBron and Bosh to come here and not Pat Riley? None of that matters. Riley was president while that was going down, while that was going on. And so he deserves our support. And listen, Jimmy Butler was a bad player when he got to Miami. Tobias Harris was chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers over Jimmy Butler. And what did Riley do with Jimmy Butler? What did he do? He was a bad player.

[Billy Gill]

He was not a bad Jimmy.

[Mike Ryan]

But if Jimmy Butler was your best player, you were not a very good team. I am sorry.

[Billy Gill]

Bad teammate, probably.

[Mike Ryan]

Except when he came to the Heat and then all of a sudden he became this amazing player. He has had the greatest six year run in his career under Pat Riley. He owes Pat Riley a thank you. Pat Riley does not deserve what Jimmy Butler is doing to him.

[Stugotz]

Correct. Pat Riley went out there and got him. Jay Crowder, I'll remind you, and Andre Iguodala. So, like, this thought process that he didn't get him any stars is just absurd.

[Mike Ryan]

So we're with you, Dan.

[Stugotz]

Thank you, Pat. Thank you, Pat. So what if he drove Shaq out of town? Thank you, Pat. So what if he drove away LeBron James? Thank you, Pat. So what if he burned that bridge with Dwyane Wade and then had to go out there and repair it himself and then build him the ugliest statue we've ever seen? Thank you, Pat. Thank you, Pat.

[Billy Gill]

This is a great chant and I think we should.

[Stugotz]

Thank you, Pat.

[Billy Gill]

I think. I think that is a much better way.

[Stugotz]

Send us merch. Thank you, Pat.

[Billy Gill]

Let's make. Let's make. Okay. Excellent, Billy. Thank you for pulling. Yes.

[Stugotz]

I was inspired by Pat. That's why I did that.

[Billy Gill]

You know what?

[Stugotz]

Thank you.

[Billy Gill]

You know what? You got it.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes.

[Billy Gill]

Let's now, right now sell merch. Let's zig when others are zagging. Everybody wants to burn Pat Riley down. Let's sell merch with Pat Riley on it.

[Stugotz]

No, no, no, no. We want them to.

[Billy Gill]

Thank you, Pat. Yeah, no, but let's also. Let's also. Thank you, Pat. Merch here. Go the other way. This is the most criticized Pat Riley has ever been in this town because. Because this town is spoiled. The standard is in Eastern Conference finals. Like, that's where you. You just. You got to be one of the final four teams at the end. You don't look like you're close in that. Closer. You've fallen behind. That's not good enough. If you don't look like one of the top four teams. That's not what the standard is. You failed. It's noisy. I don't want to add to that any more than I already have. So is there a thank you, Pat angle to this? Because as far as stug has gone on this, Jeremy, even you were making sour faces. At Stugat saying that Pat Riley is above criticism because I don't think he is. I'm just not comfortable being the messenger on being the viral one. Look, even lebar, Rainbow shy. That's it. That's correct. That is absolutely correct.

[Jeremy]

Riley has done a tremendous job during Jimmy Butler's tenure, but I think it's. It's fair to. To.

[Stugotz]

No, it's not.

[Jeremy]

Look at this situation as it's blown up. Knowing the risk that he took going into this season of keeping Jimmy Butler around when you knew he wanted an extension and say, hey, if you were going to play it this way, maybe you should have traded him this off season. Maybe this, maybe that. Playing it out this way and trying to acquire more and hoping that the season would go the right way and that him playing more games would help elevate you in the east. Makes sense. Like, it was a. It was a strategy that I probably would have taken, too.

[Lorenzo]

Can't believe I said that about Riley.

[Jeremy]

I can understand people having questions. It's okay to have questions. It's just there's. The criticism is so nuanced. It's not as simple. It's not just black and white.

[Lorenzo]

It's not nuanced.

[Stugotz]

I have an idea.

[Billy Gill]

Oh, Lord.

[Mike Ryan]

He's new to this game.

[Stugotz]

I think we need to prove to the world that this show values Pat Riley more than anyone else. So here's what I'm thinking.

[Lorenzo]

You hear that, Ethan Skolnik?

[Stugotz]

Yeah, Ethan, here's what I'm thinking.

[Lorenzo]

We're the Pat show.

[Stugotz]

The Lakers. So the Heat, what do they do? They name their court after Pat Riley. Right. Except for the first, like whatever. That in season tournament. They forgot to put his name on the court. And then they fixed that. And then the Lakers announced that they were going to build a statue for Pat Riley, I think. Right. Didn't the Lakers do that?

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, these were. These were lovely legacy moments. In fact, can you video. We never got to that weeks ago. But I would like to. I would like to get to the Lakers moving Pat Riley by telling him they were going to build a statue. And South Beat Sessions will cover how moved he was by having a court named after him. But, yes, he's getting legacy stuff. That usually only comes with the eulogies.

[Stugotz]

I think we need to build him a statue first or bigger. We need to do something to be the first ones to honor him. Better than just putting his name on the floor where people step on it.

[Billy Gill]

Which is, you know what?

[Stugotz]

Borderline disrespect.

[Billy Gill]

That is a great Idea. You know what? Can they stop us from putting our own statue on their land across the street?

[Stugotz]

No, no, our land. They're not getting our statue. It's our statue. They're not going to take our statue and make it seem. This is a situation like where, for example, someone gives you a present for Christmas, and then you say, I don't like this. Does anyone want this present? That's not what we're doing. We're not giving away our statue so they get credit for it. We're building our own statue, and it's gonna be staring down the building. I propose that we make a statue of Pat Riley that is taller than the American Airlines arena. Or we put it on the roof of the elser so it's looking down at the AAA saying, I built you, I'm above you.

[Billy Gill]

Let's do that. Find me the budget for it. Let's see if we get the city ordinances.

[Stugotz]

Jeremy, you don't have a job anymore. Sorry.

[Billy Gill]

That's okay.

[Jeremy]

How was I the one carrying water for this organization, by the way? You guys have talked about me for the last two years.

[Stugotz]

This is insane.

[Mike Ryan]

I turned it on you.

[Billy Gill]

I wanted that happen. I want to do this, Billy. Find me what the budget for this is. I want to see what we can do about putting across the street a statue that more honors passed.

[Mike Ryan]

Not across the street, on the roof of the elser overlooking the arena.

[Stugotz]

Looking down at the arena, pointing. Also pointing at the arena, saying, you're nothing without me. I'm the godfather.

[Mike Ryan]

He has all his rings on, right? Yeah.

[Stugotz]

And then that's. Yes, of course. You're pointing. You see all the rings. And here's the good thing. The fact that it's on this building that's, I don't know, like 50 stories tall or something. It doesn't have to be that accurate because no one can see it from up close because you can't just access it. So it just has to look kind of like someone that's pointing at the building but not too much like it. That people think it's like a threat and then they shoot our statue.

[Billy Gill]

This is what I'm telling you.

[Stugotz]

We don't want that.

[Billy Gill]

That's a rising executive at metal art dinosaur. You are a rising executive at metal arc. This is what I'm telling you. Find me the budget for that.

[Stugotz]

T. Rex, you.

[Billy Gill]

Find me the budget for that. Find out what kind of city licenses we have to get.

[Stugotz]

We don't ask. I apologize.

[Billy Gill]

All right, fine.

[Lorenzo]

Just ramp it.

[Billy Gill]

Just find out. Just make A quick check somewhere about what liabilities are and I will give you a substantive budget as part of our 20 year anniversary celebration. In order to make that statue at the top of the building that points down at Pat Riley, but lifts him up and honors him up because it's a statue forever.

[Jeremy]

I would have been fired for that T rexecutive line.

[Billy Gill]

You know what?

[Mike Ryan]

He's right though.

[Stugotz]

If I move, everything may lose its air and break. So you want an inflatable dinosaur, we're gonna have to stay put.

[Snoop Dogg]

This is a message from sponsor Intuit TurboTax. Guys, taxes was dealing with piles of paperwork and frustrating forms and then waiting and wondering and worrying if you're gonna get any money back. Now Taxes is easily uploading your forms to a turbo tax expert who's matched to your unique tax situation. An expert who's backed by the latest technology which cross checks millions of Data points for 100% accuracy. While they work on your taxes, you get real time updates on their progress and you get the most money back guaranteed. All while you go about your busy day. No stress, no wor, no waiting. Now this is taxes into a TurboTax. Get an expert now on TurboTax.com only available with TurboTax Live. Full service real time updates only on iOS mobile app. See guarantee [e-mail] guarantees.

[Stugotz]

Wow.

[Billy Gill]

What's up? I just bought and financed a car through Carvana in minutes. You, the person who agonized four weeks over whether to paint your walls eggshell.

[Stugotz]

Or off white, bought and financed a car in.

[Billy Gill]

They made it easy. Transparent terms, customizable, down and monthly. Didn't even have to do any paperwork.

[Stugotz]

Wow.

[Billy Gill]

Hey, have you checked out that spreadsheet I sent you for our dinner? Options Finance your car with Carvana and.

[Dan Le Batard]

Experience total control financing subject to credit approval.

[Billy Gill]

This holiday at T Mobile, I'm joined by a special co anchor.

[Stugotz]

What up everybody? It's your boy, big Snoop.

[Billy Gill]

D O double G. Snoop, let's talk about T Mobile.

[Stugotz]

Okay, cool.

[Billy Gill]

This holiday, get four lines for 25 bucks a line plus four iPhone 16s with Apple Intelligence and the all new camera control on us, let's get cracking. Like a breakfast egg. You can use those eggs to make some eggnogs, Snoop. Respect and people do love T Mobile where you can save on every plan versus the other big guys. When you switch, you know y'all can.

[Stugotz]

Take some of those savers and buy some Snoop merchandise.

[Billy Gill]

Always a great starting stuffer.

[Stugotz]

Snoop, we up out of here.

[Billy Gill]

Hold your horses.

[Amin Elhassan]

Snoop.

[Billy Gill]

D O double G let's remind people one more time.

[Stugotz]

Head to t mobile.com and get four iPhone 16s with Apple Intelligence on us.

[Billy Gill]

Plus four lines for 25 bucks. Now drop that joint with 24 monthly bill credits, four eligible trade ins and four new lines with auto PayPal qualified customers plus taxes and fees and 35 dollars per line connection charge. Cancel entire account before receiving 24 bill credits and credit stop and balance on required finance agreements. Due $829.99 credit sent to be pay off device early. See how you can save on wireless and streaming versus the other big guys at t mobile.com/apple intelligence requires iOS 18.1 or later. Don LeBatard Go ahead, Billy, ask him your question.

[Stugotz]

Is gymnastics gymnastics? Pop. Possibly.

[Billy Gill]

Oh wow. Wow. Stugarts.

[Stugotz]

I got some phlegm in my mouth.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, it's okay.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. Is gymnastics possibly? Cor. This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats.

[Billy Gill]

I wish to tell everyone here that I've got a problem beyond everything we just mentioned with what's happening across the street with the Miami Heat in that Pat Riley is on South Beach Sessions this week. And I told soft talking Matt Coogler who left the Craig Ferguson show to have the world's dumpiest office here at Meadowlark Media Cougs. I told Billy Gill's good friend Cougs that South Beach Sessions probably shouldn't put Pat Riley out this week because people will expect me to ask him about Jimmy Butler. And we did this interview five or six ago and so people will think I am doing a soft biographical interview, which I will say I was trying to do with someone I admire doing what might be the last interview we do together after someone. He doesn't do many interviews. He doesn't. He only talks two or three times a year anymore. Anywhere.

[Mike Ryan]

He used to come on this show all the time. You're saying he's doing less?

[Billy Gill]

For many years now he's doing less. This is really my conundrum, okay? It's just a simply human conundrum, okay? After seeing Pat Riley show up at the memorial, surprised me by showing up at the memorial for my brother, okay? This is a man whose legacy I do not want to tarnish in this town or anywhere by adding my voice as noise to we know better than he does. Like, I get why we do it, right? I'm not saying that it's unfair for sports to do it, but because of where it is, this relationship is personal. I have trouble with the objectivities I'm trying to Aspire to.

[Mike Ryan]

That's why we're building a statue, roof of the ulcer, pointing somewhere in the vicinity of the arena. But not at the arena, but staring down at the arena, looking down. Yeah, right. For those of you who don't know, Dan has a legit. This is a friendship that he has with Pat Riley. It's not one of those relationships where I say, hey, everyone's my friend over at espn. Dan has a real relationship and friendship that has gone on for a decade and a half, two decades nearly with Pat Riley. So I understand your conundrum. I understand what it is you're dealing with, but I think Pat would understand. He's been doing this forever, Dan. He understands the criticism, does he not?

[Billy Gill]

Here's the thing, okay? Yes, of course, of course. Look, look. My relationships with Stan Van Gundy and Pat Riley began, I would say Jimmy Johnson as well. Contentious, like. I'm writing things that they don't like. And over time, they learn to respect it. And over time, a relationship grows from there, wherever it is that it grows. But, no, I've been very critical of Pat Riley in print and my standards not higher than his. He understands that the game is, you win the championship or everyone gets to say you're a loser. He's fine with that. He made the standard. He said it like, he wins the second championship with the Lakers and guarantees a three peep because he knows he's got Kareem. Different time, though. Different place. 78 years old. And I keep telling you, man, stugats. It's hard to do what ESPN does with Lee Corso and Dick Vital holding their hand at the very end and letting them dictate some of the terms because they've earned it. And I don't mean to turn Pat Riley into a mascot. Not much the opposite. This, in this sport is the most respected thing. And he's hanging on to a way of doing it that ain't no longer the way, because LeBron James and all that power took the sport away. And now you got load management and Joel Embiid and everything that's happening in the sport. And he's telling his superstar that you won't be traded. And then a few days later, oh, yeah, you will be traded. And now his superstar saying, and there are teams I won't go to. And Pat Riley might try to spite him here somewhere by sending him. Trying to send him somewhere. And he can't send him anywhere because Jimmy Butler's going to dictate the terms.

[Mike Ryan]

At the end, but he's been to the NBA Finals twice in the last five years. Like, we're talking, like, the game has passed Pat Riley by.

[Billy Gill]

Well. But I'd like. I'd like a spot of nuance or degrees between those things, right. Between passing by fair criticism. And also, don't disrespect this. Don't disrespect these people. Like, I know Spo has had some really bad moments this season. He has. But he didn't forget how to coach. Like. Like the game's ever evolving. He helped ever evolve it. Positionless basketball. And now the Celtics are better. Are better at all of those things. And I forgive them. I understand why you wouldn't. I forgive them for not having seen that coming. But, I mean, you come in here, you respect very few things in the world. You are disrespectful.

[Mike Ryan]

It's an odd introduction. I gotta be on pianos.

[Amin Elhassan]

Guys.

[Billy Gill]

Happy new Anus to you. Amin, please help. Help soothe me as I walk back early in the week. Criticism. Sort of afraid of the crime family across the street.

[Amin Elhassan]

All right, so a couple of questions. Number one, Dan, you said in this segment we're not gonna, like. I'm not gonna be the guy who criticizes Pat Riley or calls him. What, by calling him washed? Like, you don't feel comfortable doing that, but you felt comfortable calling Tom Brady washed before he won, like, three more Super Bowls.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah.

[Amin Elhassan]

So why is there a difference between a very successful player and a very successful executive in that regard for you?

[Billy Gill]

Thank you for asking for a distinction that would seem to catch me in a hypocrisy. I didn't call Tom Brady washed. I said that.

[Mike Ryan]

You did. You said it was over. He's won four super bowl since he owns the Raiders. He's gonna steal Vrabel away from the Raiders, from the Patriots. Sorry.

[Billy Gill]

You said I never said Tom Brady was washed. I said, no, this is what happens to me around here. I can't look at you all the time. I said that it's unbelievable that what I'm about to say got reduced to. You said Tom Brady is watched because this was the criticism of Tom Brady. I said all quarterbacks throughout history. If you get to that age, the drop is precipitous numerically. It's empirical. It is factual. All quarterbacks decline at that age. There is no reversing how that happens. But you wouldn't notice it in the uniform because the arm strength is going to look the same. And so the only way that would be perceptible is on the deep ball. And here are Tom Brady's numbers on the deep ball. They are not good. It is close to the end for Tom Brady. After that, he won all the Super Bowls. And I was.

[Mike Ryan]

I was wrong throwing deep balls, throwing.

[Billy Gill]

I was wrong about everything after that in a way that still makes the graphic amazing. Amazing when I'm looking at it. And he's put up on the screen as a $375 million broadcaster who's terrible. And it says seven times Super bowl champion under his name.

[Mike Ryan]

He was better after you said the things.

[Billy Gill]

Said that look. That is correct. That is correct. But what is absolutely. For you know what, that Tom Brady. You are totally right. I don't know what that was, but you are. You are totally right on. It's as wrong as I've ever been on anything to even provide math that he might be in decline. I simply never said he was washed. I'm saying that it's what, like, when you're looking at it, it's not something that you can decipher to the human eye when a quarterback is fading stugats. I'll talk myself into Aaron Rodgers, what he looked like in six of the last eight games of the season, Right? Like, you can't tell with that kind of greatness. It's not that overt where you're like, the guy runs out there, same uniform, same name, different uniform, but looks the same. I can't see when a quarterback who's one of the best ever is in decline and none of you could see it either because he defied all the math.

[Amin Elhassan]

Isn't it fun when you say something that logically makes sense but then is completely disproven by one of the greatest performances ever? But people hold it up as an example that you're an idiot that doesn't know anything.

[Billy Gill]

What is the fairest criticism of the Miami Heat? You have been very critical of Bam Adebayo. Bam Adebayo has been terrible this year. I am asking how much flexibility do you have with an organization for not knowing fast enough that their three guys and the ceiling on their three guys would not be good enough if Jimmy Butler wavered. None of it would be good enough if Jimmy Butler wasn't surpassed as he aged by, like, the acquisition of a player better than Jimmy Butler?

[Amin Elhassan]

So this is what I would say, Dan. First of all, nobody's perfect. Like, there's a part of this where I'm sensing a lot of anger and outrage. I'm like, guys, the job's hard, right? Who's a guy that we all look at right now as perhaps the best general manager in the NBA. Sam Presti, right? Oh, Sam Presti. That late. James Harden go. Because he wanted to pay Serge Ibaka. Sam Presti, who didn't trade Kevin Durant when he had a chance to let him walk for nothing.

[Mike Ryan]

Like.

[Amin Elhassan]

Like they all. Everyone's got farts on their resume. There's nobody here.

[Billy Gill]

Pristine. Put it on the poll, please. Juju, does everyone have farts on their resume?

[Mike Ryan]

Dan, we completely glossed over the fact that Billy was big time by the bald guy.

[Billy Gill]

I mean, let me get back to it.

[Mike Ryan]

At a Moss event.

[Billy Gill]

Let me get back to it.

[Amin Elhassan]

I remember now.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah.

[Amin Elhassan]

So wait, you were there for that? It was there. Of course I was there.

[Billy Gill]

Wow.

[Amin Elhassan]

I'm the one that told him big time. Him. So the next part of this is something you said the other day, which was, this is the biggest mess in Heat history. And I would say Shaq threatening to punch Pat Riley. Slightly bigger mess because of who it was and because of physically who it was and because it was physical as opposed to sniping at each other through press conferences. To me, that that's the pinnacle of the biggest mess in Heat history in terms of player and Pat Riley clash.

[Billy Gill]

Oh, no. Forgive me. I was just saying publicly. I wasn't saying privately. Look, look, wait a minute. Let me be clear on something. On something else. People might not know this environment. What is across the street is a military school for millionaires where they surgically go from station to station, getting the right medicine and science so they can be maximum basketball mach. What is across the street is a factory for. How do these people get better at this? And then you see them get better at this. Like, that's a. It's a. It's a weird thing when I'm telling you I can't tell that Tom Brady is getting worse, but I can tell. Oh, ware's pretty good. How'd that happen? Whoa. How did that happen? Like, this place over here knows how to make basketball players better.

[Amin Elhassan]

And so, Dan, to that point, I will give you a positive that you said. You said this team, by and large, is a team of overachievers, which is suspiciously similar to something I said during the conference finals in 2023 when I said the Boston Celtics are clearly more talented that the Heat have to do everything right to win. But they do, and that's why they won. And Will Manso and everybody else got mad. How could you say they're more talented?

[Billy Gill]

Will Manto called out by name?

[Amin Elhassan]

I'm Just saying. And hey, Will. I love you, Will, but I love Will.

[Mike Ryan]

Say it on the front end. Say it on the front end.

[Amin Elhassan]

No, no, I'm not going to say it on the front end because on the front end is what I'm saying is right. What I said right was back then. And I'm doing a little bit of a victory trot. Not a lap. A victory trot. A victory trot.

[Mike Ryan]

I like that.

[Amin Elhassan]

I don't want to do this.

[Billy Gill]

We have a victory lap today, Chris. We do have one. Okay, you guys are going to make me go run.

[Amin Elhassan]

Okay, but, but my point is, you were right, Dan, as I was two years ago. This team, by and large, what they built was a team of overachievers. The other thing that you said that was correct was, and a lot of people have lost that plot when Jimmy Butler was acquired. You guys are like, why are we giving to Jimmy Butler?

[Billy Gill]

Da da da da.

[Amin Elhassan]

And this is just gonna keep us middle of the road. I said, no, Jimmy Butler makes you significantly better. He is a superstar. But if you want other superstars, you have to start with one and he's the one that you got. And so it was always about getting someone else, not getting someone, getting Jimmy help. Getting someone that Jimmy could help. Now, along the way there were some flirtations. Maybe bam, Adebayo is the guy and Jimmy helps him, right? Maybe Damian Lillard comes, maybe Kevin Drac comes. All the deals that don't happen, ladies and gentlemen, there are 8 billion deals a year that every team goes to where they almost. But you don't. And it's not anyone's fault other than this is a human business. I'm dealing with other general managers, I'm dealing with agents, and I'm dealing with players. When I was in Phoenix, hell, we thought we were going to get Kevin Garnett. We literally. Kevin Garnett is literally at a party All Star Weekend in Las Vegas in 2007, going over plays with us about how he's going to fit into our offense. And then, you know, Sean Marion's agent makes a hard bargain with Danny Ains. Danny Ains says, I can't do this deal. Our deal. Diesel Kevin McHale, his good buddy, says, well, what about us? And next thing you know, they do a one on one deal as opposed to a three team deal. This happens all the time. There are 8 million examples of this. And finally, when you think about, oh, Jimmy Butler did this in the press conference. And it's so embarrassing. You know what else is embarrassing? When Kobe Bryant Stood in a parking lot Talking to a 15 year old on a flip phone telling him I need to get traded because they wouldn't trade Andrew Bynum for Jason Kennedy. That happened. That happened.

[Billy Gill]

You are talking about public and private. Okay, just to be clear, this is a notoriously private organization.

[Mike Ryan]

Right.

[Billy Gill]

It's not an information that a lot of information comes out on. So Amina's giving you there a shock story. The things that happen behind the scenes in this factory, I'm talking about where they make hardened players. It is filled. And this is a feature, not a bug with conflict. Those people have been toughened. Jimmy Butler has been toughened by an environment where the conflict is not avoided. The conflict is part of what it is that sharpens the tools. And so yes, Shaq had to be held outside by security when he was let go because it had escalated to Shaq. No, you don't have the power here. You're traded. And Shaq was used to having the power. Now shacks outside like a lot of people are with security because you can't just go back and get your things. But the arguments of Alonzo Mourning. Think about what I'm about to say here where Pat Riley and Alonzo Mourning would tell you, yes, Alonzo Mourning, fueled by rage, would tell Pat Riley to his face, yelling and screaming, threatening to get physical. Bleep you. And Pat Riley would say it right back. And Pat Riley's principle was it's fine for all the BLEEP used. Teach me something. Teach me something. When we're doing that, you think that place got good at sharpening basketball players because it's gentle. And so a prideful man. Pat Riley, who built that environment, has just been embarrassed in public, a private organization by Jimmy Butler, by, by the player taking the power from the organization the way that's been happening for 14 years since LeBron did it first for Miami.

[Amin Elhassan]

Well, we, we, we talked about this on Basketball Illuminati this weekend. We, I did the timeline of Jimmy Butler, of who he is starting from juco all the way here. And at every step there's a point where it's like Jimmy Butler says, I need to get compensated and the compensation doesn't happen. And he was like, the hell with this place, right? In Chicago, he went from playing three minutes a game his rookie year to 82 games the next year to starting to most improved player and being their best player in four years. And they didn't offer him that extension. So he had to play and then get a restrictive free agency thing. He had to wait for his money. And that obviously didn't sit well. And then they fire Tibbs and they bring in Fred Hoiberg. And that doesn't work out. He gets sent to Minnesota. He helps revive Minnesota. But when it's time to pay him, they're like, I don't know. And so he says, get me out of here. He goes to Philly. When it's time to pay him, they.

[Billy Gill]

Say, ah, Tobias Harris.

[Amin Elhassan]

And so he comes here. He comes here. He gets paid. He gets an extension. He gets paid again. His deal's almost up. This is Jimmy Butler. And I don't say that begrudgingly about him. I'm just saying he hasn't been duplicitous in any way. So for Pat Riley to kind of think, well, I'll just challenge him and it'll be fine. Which is kind of like what Tom Thibodeau thought in Minnesota. It's like, well, Jimmy's my guy. He's fine. I just. Once we start playing, he'll be fine. He's a little upset now. He's. No, the guy wants his money. Pay him his money. And that's what Jeremy said the other day, which is, if he had gotten an extension, none of this would be an issue. We'd be talking about, can we get a little better? Or whatever. We wouldn't be talking about, Jimmy Butler wants to play anywhere else. This is all about him wanting his money.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm going to say this for a second time. I'm not going to say it again. We have glossed over Billy being big time by the ball guy. Heat security Billy. What the hell happened?

[Stugotz]

I mean, I don't know that this is the right forum for this. I don't want to, you know. Cause any riffs, Dan's going to lose Sleepover with the Heat security guard, because it's going to get back to him. He's going to say, what did Dan say about me? Now? And then he's gonna poke him in the elbow again. It's gonna be a whole thing. But if you. If you must ask, and I must tell you, it was that. It was at the last mosque that we had with the big stage. You remember that one where. It was in Wynwood, I think so. I noticed off to the side, the. The security guard, the bald security guard was like, just off the stage where we were, and there was. He was, like, hanging out by the stairs. So I felt, like, kind of bad. I was like, why is this guy just hanging out by the stairs? There's this big crowd of people. Like, I wanted him to feel welcome, so I was trying to be, like, a good host. So I was on the stage and I walked over to him and I said, hey, good to see you. Like, thanks for coming out. Because I've been told that he's a big fan of the show, so I thought it'd be nice to just say, hey, thanks for coming out. Whatever. So it's not just some guy hanging out by a stairwell. Right. So he shakes my hand very nicely, and then I walk away, and I go back on the stage to do whatever we were doing. And then I report got to me that he then turned to the person next to him and said, who the bleep was? That guy?

[Billy Gill]

Yeah. He's terrifying. And I don't know why wasn't terrified.

[Stugotz]

I thought he was a dick.

[Lorenzo]

He was one of the fans.

[Stugotz]

All right, I get back to him.

[Billy Gill]

Come on. He's one crazy.

[Lorenzo]

He's one of those fans of the show that says they're a fan of the show and then says, I love the show. With Poppy, it's like, yeah, that show doesn't exist anymore.

[Stugotz]

Classic. Classic. That's what it sounds like.

[Billy Gill]

Well, if. If you think my criticism is bad, we need to call Poppy. Poppy's got some thoughts on. On the Dolphins and the Heat and the private phone calls I've had with Bobby have been. He. He would speak for the fan bases of the Dolphins in the Heat in a way that's less compromised than me. He, too, is fed up. Not just with the Godfather. He's fed up with SPO too.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, he's been fed up with SPO for a decade.

[Billy Gill]

No, but it's worse than it's ever been.

[Mike Ryan]

Really.

[Billy Gill]

Yes, it is. I. Please call my father. Okay? I wish to call my father and get to the bottom of this. The phone calls I've had privately during the holidays with my father are the most poisonous sports phone calls I've ever heard. And my parents almost got divorced during the Shaq finals because my father spent nothing but the entire season complaining about Shaq missing free throws. My Shaq wanted. My father wanted to fight Shaq the way that Shaq wanted to fight Riley. My father is the most spoiled of Heat fans. He told me he's been with the Heat all along. He's been with them since LeBron got here. He's the biggest of the bandwagon fans.

[Stugotz]

Can you be a bandwagon fan if you've been complaining since 2006? I feel like he's lost that it's 18 years of complaints.

[Billy Gill]

That's a typical Miami bandwagon fan. All he's done is care enough to complain. He's checked out on the whole season because they're 500. Because he's spoiled and they don't do him the service of filling his media potato chips bag full. And he goes to the owner of the team and tells them that they're cheap with their media potato chip bags.

[Lorenzo]

We just closed the loop on Billy's awkward interaction at Moss Miami. Let's close the loop on Tom. On Dan's Tom Brady take. I have a clip here from September, excellent 30th, 2014, 11 years ago.

[Billy Gill]

There is no way this said. There's no way I'm saying he's washed.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm pretty certain the Dolphins beat the Patriots like, 33 to 20. Like, and dad said it right after that.

[Lorenzo]

Let's let the clip speak for itself.

[Mike Ryan]

All right.

[Billy Gill]

For the last two years, I've been saying with much resistance, by the way, as they go to the AFC championship game last year and go 12 and four, that Tom Brady is washed.

[Stugotz]

Wow.

[Billy Gill]

Wow. Can you.

[Amin Elhassan]

Wow, there it is.

[Stugotz]

2000.

[Mike Ryan]

I told you 16. Yeah.

[Lorenzo]

2014.

[Stugotz]

Wow.

[Lorenzo]

You had it first, Dan.

[Stugotz]

Cross decades.

[Billy Gill]

That Tom Brady is washed. Is that even my voice?

[Stugotz]

You said it.

[Amin Elhassan]

What are we doing here? This Dan Lerd show, right? Who's that?

[Lorenzo]

Trey Wingo?

[Billy Gill]

I legitimately. I legitimately cannot tell if the is watch is something that was even said by be ever. Never mind. AI. Have I said it that way? Is that my voice? That Tom Brady is washed is in decline?

[Amin Elhassan]

That.

[Stugotz]

Chris.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, man.

[Stugotz]

Chris.

[Billy Gill]

Chris. That's what you.

[Stugotz]

Delete that part.

[Billy Gill]

Chris. That's what you spent the whole hour doing.

[Mike Ryan]

Who was that guy saying in decline, Chris.

[Billy Gill]

Save it, Chris.

[Mike Ryan]

It's going to hurt him for days.

[Billy Gill]

Chris. And I also heard a stray sound while I was trying to do the show. That was something Tom Brady related because that's what you were. That's the joke you've been editing for 60 minutes. That's how you've decided to do your job as executive producer today.

[Stugotz]

I think we're losing. We're losing the plot here. Dan said it.

[Billy Gill]

I extended the clock by 10 minutes so we could cook some more on dinosaur Bill.

[Stugotz]

I have an update on the statue situation.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, really?

[Stugotz]

I reached out to someone here who would know, and I said, do we have roof access? And they said, I don't know. That's the latest.

[Mike Ryan]

All right.

[Billy Gill]

Some of the things I'd like to do over the coming days. I don't believe we use this building well enough. We've got rock climbing. We've got basketball. We've got whirlpools. We've got the top of this building and a statue we're gonna build to point down at the arena. Greg Cody. I want in a whirlpool tomorrow. Whirlpool Cody, because I believe he'll be braver than Nick Saban, who's not brave enough in a commercial to be in a whirlpool without a shirt. And you guys are telling me it's about age and son. Greg Cody is very old. He's very unhealthy. Greg Cody will sit in a hot tub, I'm guessing with his shirt off because he's not afraid to be a coward who goes into the whirlpool with a shirt on the way. Nick Saban is as he's the protector of college football but is isn't brave enough to take his shirt off. So help me do that tomorrow.

[Stugotz]

What's cold out. Do we want Greg out there in the elements?

[Mike Ryan]

He's not feeling well.

[Stugotz]

He's going to get out, he's going to be wet and then he's going to get like. It's, it's. I mean it's borderline freezing right now. It's like 62 degrees.

[Billy Gill]

I think it'd be lovely out there. It's a hot tub.

[Amin Elhassan]

It is a hot tub and it is glorious. It is massive. First of all, it's one of the biggest hot tubs I've ever seen.

[Mike Ryan]

But you have to get out of the hot tub at some point.

[Stugotz]

It's L shaped.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah. But no, this is. Look, man, the amenities here. This is a luxury hotel. Like that's it. That, that hot tub is. Is nobody's punishment. That's not. No matter what the weather is that I would imagine Greg Cody would love to do the show from over there.

[Amin Elhassan]

And the door is right by the hot tub.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah.

[Amin Elhassan]

You get out and like you just literally just run right inside and you're fine. So I don't think it's an issue. I do wonder though, are you pronouncing it world the pool with a d in there?

[Billy Gill]

No. Whirl, whirl, whirl.

[Amin Elhassan]

That's worried.

[Billy Gill]

Thank you. I appreciate it. That's a good correction by you since.

[Mike Ryan]

Dan said that thing about Brady. Brady threw 290 touchdowns at 78 Inter.

[Billy Gill]

That Tom Brady is washed.

[Unknown]

What a year 2024 was. Happy New year's, everybody.

[Billy Gill]

New year.

[Unknown]

Is this week and some of you are gonna be counting down to the new year. With a lot of friends and a lot of family around. That's a lot of palates. How do you make everybody happy? You make them happy by making New Year's time a Miller time. Some beer with taste you know you can depend on that won't let anybody down. No games, no gimmicks. Just great beer for people who like beer. In all my favorite moments of 2024, Miller Lite was right there by my side. Responsibly. Of course, Miller Lite is brewed for taste. It hits different than other light beers. Simple ingredients like malted barley for rich balanced toffee note flavors and that iconic golden color that we all know and love. The original light beer since 1975 and still the very best one. Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you or you can pick up some Millerite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Tastes like Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Lorenzo]

Okay guys, it says here I'm supposed to tell you about the refreshing tropical lime flavor of Mountain Dew Baja Blast, but what does refreshing tropical lime mean exactly? Allow me to describe it in a way that my fellow DraftKings players will understand. Mountain Dew Baja Blast tastes like a buzzer beating three pointer to cover the spot bread. Nailing a multileg parlay, setting the perfect daily fantasy lineup. It's like hitting an underdog money line. And I want you to know that feeling too. So make your picks and then grab some tropical lime flavored Mountain Dew Baja Blast for you and your buds. Available wherever refreshing beverages are sold.