Local Hour: The Best Knicks Feeling Since Y2K

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: Local Hour: The Best Knicks Feeling Since Y2K
Release Date: May 8, 2025

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1. Introduction to the Episode's Main Theme

The episode centers around the resurgence of the New York Knicks, drawing parallels to the franchise's notable moments since the Y2K era. Dan Le Batard and his co-hosts delve into the current excitement surrounding the Knicks, comparing it to past high points and discussing the factors contributing to this renewed optimism.

2. Knicks' Current Performance and Historical Comparison

Dan Le Batard opens the discussion by highlighting the unprecedented positive sentiment among Knicks fans, likening it to the anticipation before LeBron James’s free agency decision in the early 2010s.

Dan Le Batard [26:18]: "This is the best feeling that there has been around the Knicks this century. The last time it felt this good was 10 minutes before LeBron's decision."

He emphasizes that such enthusiasm is rare, marking this phase as potentially transformative for the franchise.

3. Celtics' Struggles and Coaching Critique

Shifting focus to the Boston Celtics, the hosts critique the team's recent performances, particularly highlighting their ineffective three-point shooting.

Dan Le Batard [06:26]: "Tatum is shooting 1 for 12 for 6 points in 2 4th quarters. So far, he's 12 for 42 in the series."

Amin Al Hassan further analyzes Celtics' strategies, suggesting that their rigid adherence to three-point shooting without adapting to in-game performance has been detrimental.

Amin Al Hassan [18:01]: "They're just missing them. They were supposed to be the best team, but they're struggling because they can't adjust."

4. Jalen Brunson's Unexpected Impact

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Jalen Brunson’s surprising and pivotal role in the Knicks' current success. Dan highlights Brunson’s clutch performances and growing popularity among the fanbase.

Dan Le Batard [12:35]: "He is already the most beloved New York Nick there has ever been in that town. There has never been a more popular basketball player than Jalen Brunson is right now."

Amin adds historical context, comparing Brunson to other NBA players who defied expectations to become stars.

Amin Al Hassan [33:35]: "Jalen Brunson's ascension is a little unprecedented, but there are other guys who have been discarded and then found stardom elsewhere."

5. Discussion on Coaches: Joe Mazzulla vs. Doc Rivers

The hosts critically assess the coaching strategies of Joe Mazzulla and draw comparisons with Doc Rivers, questioning Mazzulla’s effectiveness based on recent playoff performances.

Dan Le Batard [09:59]: "Joe Missoula has had this situation happen to him now twice in three years. Happened in 2023 against the Heat, and now it's happening to him against the Knicks in 2025."

Amin emphasizes the rarity of a coach consistently struggling in high-stakes playoff series, indirectly questioning Mazzulla’s capability.

Amin Al Hassan [09:59]: "He's had to lose back-to-back games at critical moments, which is unprecedented for a coach with championship experience."

6. Game Analysis and Player Performance

Detailed analysis of recent games showcases the contrasting performances between key players. The hosts praise Jalen Brunson’s defensive prowess against Jrue Holiday and critique Jayson Tatum’s shooting woes.

Dan Le Batard [17:30]: "Tatum is shooting 1 for 12 for 6 points in 2 4th quarters. Brunson, on the other hand, is clutch and reliable."

Amin discusses the importance of adaptable strategies, arguing that the Celtics’ overreliance on three-pointers is a strategic flaw.

Amin Al Hassan [19:13]: "If it's not going in, maybe try something else until you can get back to it. The Celtics are too rigid in their approach."

7. Banter and Humor Among Hosts

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in light-hearted banter and humorous exchanges, particularly around historical anecdotes and personal anecdotes related to basketball.

Dan Le Batard [31:19]: "Do you guys know who the brother of Anthony Mason is?"
Amin Al Hassan [31:31]: "Steve Mason?"
Dan Le Batard [31:35]: "It's former Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler."

This segment adds a personable and entertaining layer to the discussion, showcasing the camaraderie among the hosts.

8. Conclusions and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Dan reiterates his belief in the Knicks' potential to sustain their momentum against the Celtics. He underscores the importance of Jalen Brunson and criticizes the Celtics for their lack of adaptability.

Dan Le Batard [26:10]: "We're back with New York Pride stugats. Jalen, we're gonna win the East, Jalen, without Randall, we're still doing fine."

Amin echoes the sentiment, emphasizing process over results and forecasting positive outcomes for the Knicks if current strategies continue.

Amin Al Hassan [28:38]: "I'm going process over results more than you are. My process."

The hosts conclude with anticipation for future games and the continued evolution of the Knicks' season.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dan Le Batard [26:18]: "This is the best feeling that there has been around the Knicks this century. The last time it felt this good was 10 minutes before LeBron's decision."

• Dan Le Batard [06:26]: "Tatum is shooting 1 for 12 for 6 points in 2 4th quarters. So far, he's 12 for 42 in the series."

• Dan Le Batard [12:35]: "He is already the most beloved New York Nick there has ever been in that town. There has never been a more popular basketball player than Jalen Brunson is right now."

• Amin Al Hassan [18:01]: "They're just missing them. They were supposed to be the best team, but they're struggling because they can't adjust."

• Amin Al Hassan [28:38]: "I'm going process over results more than you are. My process."

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Conclusion

In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, the hosts provide an in-depth analysis of the New York Knicks' current season, drawing comparisons to past high points and contrasting their performance with that of the Boston Celtics. Central to their discussion is the unexpected rise of Jalen Brunson and critiques of coaching strategies that may impede team success. The episode blends insightful sports commentary with engaging banter, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the Knicks' resurgence and the broader NBA landscape.

Transcript

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[Dan LeBatard]

Shadow show. Shadow show. Shadow show. Shadow Show. Shadow Show.

[Stugatz]

Shadow Show.

[Dan LeBatard]

Shadow Show.

[Bobby]

Hello?

[Dan LeBatard]

Bobby?

[Bobby]

Yeah. Oh, Danny. How are you?

[Dan LeBatard]

What happened? Did you not know it was your son?

[Bobby]

I didn't recognize you. I was suspecting a phone call from an inspector, so I thought that that was Nicole. What are you wrong?

[Dan LeBatard]

What are you getting inspected?

[Bobby]

A new roof. I put a new roof. I'm trying to get some money from the estate. So they got inspect the work. Then I get some money back. But I had to put the money up front first. How you doing today?

[Dan LeBatard]

You don't like putting the money up front?

[Bobby]

Well, what can I tell you? I got no choice. That's the way the estate operates. If you want to get a refund, you got to pay it first. Show proof of payment, proof of inspection, and then if you're lucky, you're going to get some money back. So what's happening, buddy? What happened to to the Celtics? Oh, the Butcher was on fire last night.

[Dan LeBatard]

He really was. Bobby Thibodeau got it done last night.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Whoa.

[Bobby]

He got it done. I'm telling you, he's my man. He was on fire last night. I saw that movie before a couple of nights ago. Same shit.

[Dan LeBatard]

Bobby, are you. Are you aware that sometimes you say I'm telling you and then what comes after that is you not telling me much of anything.

[Bobby]

Well, what do you mean? I. You know, I'm surprised. Didn't you enjoy the game last night?

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, I want both of the teams to lose and then to get in a small bus accident on the way after the game. But nobody gets hurt.

[Bobby]

Who you want to see? Look at what is happening to the Joker. They choke again. You know, OKC is too much for the Joker and the other sidekick. What's the other guy's name?

[Dan LeBatard]

You tell me.

[Bobby]

I forgot the guy. The guy from Canada. I forgot that I forgot his name.

[Dan LeBatard]

You can come.

[Bobby]

That's okay. He's like.

[Dan LeBatard]

Who'S the Joker, sidekick? Tell me.

[Bobby]

All right, the Canadian guy.

[Dan LeBatard]

Go ahead. What's his name? I know, I know, but what's his name? Let's see if we can find his name.

[Bobby]

I forgot his name anyway. Jason Bennett.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's a good guess. That's a good guess. If I were to give you. Okay, I'll give you a hint. You ready?

[Bobby]

Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

Jamal.

[Bobby]

Oh, Jamal. Jamal Brown.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes, that's exactly right. Poppy. It's the Joker and Jamal Brown.

[Bobby]

I got the Joker, right? That's the most important.

[Dan LeBatard]

It is, right? You're absolutely right. All right. I want to do a little quiz. Can we do a little quiz?

[Bobby]

Yeah, sure you can. You can. Go ahead.

[Dan LeBatard]

What is the name of Oklahoma City's best player?

[Bobby]

Jose Gonzalez.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, that's exactly right. Bobby, I'll talk to you later.

[Bobby]

I'll get Mike. This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugats podcast.

[Dan LeBatard]

So I thought that Stugatz today was taking a step back, but he's stepping up and will be here shortly because this is the best feeling that there has been around the Knicks this century. The last time it felt this good was 10 minutes before LeBron's decision, when they thought he was going there. And what is happening with the Knicks has made Stu Gotts rush in. He's late, but rush in and get stuck in traffic. And now he's got to be enraged. He will be here shortly. We are awaiting him. And I'm genuinely excited about today's show because we've only been on the air 20 years. I have never done a show when alleged Knicks fan Stu Gatz has felt good about his team. Today will be the first time I get to do that. So what you're going to be introduced to is someone I have never seen. I'm assuming Stu Gotts as his most obnoxious Knicks fan when he hasn't watched a game in eight years. And what happened to me last night, just like in Game one, is, again, one of the strangest sports experiences I have ever had as a fan. I go into Game one and I'm like, I don't even want to watch this. I don't want anyone on either of these teams to Feel good about anything. Not the nice. And more than that, I do not want their fans to have one ounce of pleasure the remainder of my life because it's not the players I hate. In fact, I'm embarrassed to say it. Kind of love Jalen Brunson. I want to take. I mean, everyone's got to, in fact, put it on the poll. Are you fundamentally obligated to. To fall in love with Jalen Brunson right now? Because Jalen Brunson already has a moment in the last series to end it. I've never seen Jason Tatum have give me a play Jason Tatum's made in his life more memorable than how it is that Brunson ended the Pistons. Somebody, anybody dunking on LeBron, you think?

[Amin Al Hassan]

I mean, that was a pretty good moment.

[Dan LeBatard]

Put it on the poll at LeBatard show better moment. Jalen Brunson against the Pistons or Jayson Tatum dunking on LeBron. We'll get to Tatum in a second. Because all of American sports fan expectations need to land today on the back of his neck. You are a champion. And I've. I've almost never said this about a champion. Prove to me you deserve to be one. Because last season. Do what Brunson does. Brunson's the smallest player on the court. I look at you and just physically, I know you're the best one, but what are you going to do? Oh, fade away again. Brunson got the foul shots. It's end of game time. It is end of game time. You give the ball to Brunson. Knicks fans know what's going to happen there. And when he misses a one foot layup, they don't even blame him because they know what he is. He's the best clutch player in the NBA. Empirically does more in the fourth quarter than anybody. Tatum, the only thing left to have on Tatum's resume. It's the most. It's incredibly bejeweled for his age. Where are the moments? It's end of game time. Knicks fans, I know they trust Brunson. Celtics fans, I don't know if they trust their best guy. And now it closes in. Now Boston's the best team. Is. Are they the best road team in the history of the league? History of the league? I know they are this year the best road team, but are they best road team in the history of the league?

[Mike Ryan]

I think they've won a road game in 11 straight series and multiple wins in six.

[Dan LeBatard]

I was trying to think on my way in and I never looked it up because life gets busy. But there was a series a few years ago where the eight seed went on the road, won the first two games, and then the next four games were just won by the one seed.

[Amin Al Hassan]

It was the Bulls against Celtics, actually.

[Dan LeBatard]

Thank you. So I just forgot it. But. So I don't actually expect the Knicks to win this series. I do not. But whatever pressure it is that could come to bear on Jayson Tatum, Game 3 is going to feel as pressurized as anything he's ever lived. New York has been bad at home. Like, legitimately bad at home. I mean, I don't trust them at all at home. I expect Boston to go in there and smoke them because they've been up by 20 in the last two games. And I do not expect the Knicks to win a third one. But I did not expect Boston to be in this kind of trouble. Like, just did not see this coming at all. That Knicks team is okay, but it's got flaws and flaws that could and should be exposed by Boston. Boston is a good deal better than that Knicks team. And the Knicks team can't actually just do it in matchups either, where you say, I think the Knicks match up okay with the Celtics. Okay, you can think that, but the Celtics are a good deal better than the Knicks.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Dan, Tony and I were having this conversation right before the show started. Joe Mazzulla, who we talked about in the past, you know, does his little antics in the press conferences and trying to be quirky and kind of aloof and better than everyone else. And what we said at the time, if you remember, was, you can do that now, but the moment this thing starts to slip away, watch out. It's starting to slip away. And so I asked the question. I asked the question. Dan LeBatard. The Celtics have lost the first two games at home in the playoff series. Only five teams have come back from that in NBA history to win that series. Joe Missoula has had this situation happen to him now twice in three years. Happened in 2023 against the Heat, and now it's happening to him against the Knicks in 2025. And so I ask, at what point does he become Doc Jr.

[Dan LeBatard]

Right?

[Amin Al Hassan]

Because to blow a 20 to blow home court advantage completely in your first two games. I don't know of another coach where it's happened to him twice in his career. It's happened twice in this guy's three seasons.

[Dan LeBatard]

It is fairly amazing to think that Amin is asking that about coaches who won one title in Boston and we can now still remember even Though Doc Rivers is a champion that he's not associated with champion. Doc Rivers is associated, even though he's won a title with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, who we'll get to in a second. He's got a debt to pay. Oh, boy. Doc Rivers is one of the few people on earth who's a champion in sports, and his reputation is, you don't know how to win. You. You. You fumble away every situation. And Joe Mazzulla, I heard Zaslow two days ago asked the question that I didn't even think unfair. Is Joe Missoula good coach? And I want to ask you guys the question. Does he have the best postseason winning percentage ever? Like, how close? Like, what is. What is Missoula's postseason winning percentage? I know when I say ever, I'm exaggerating or it sounds like I'm exaggerating, but I am actually curious what Missoula's postseason record is. It's. It's obviously a small sample, but I don't think in a small sample I've ever asked of a coach who's a champion. Is he a good coach? It's a ridiculous question I'm asking. Is it not a mean. You're an expert. Like I am asking an absurd and ridiculous question. Is Joe Missoula a good coach? In fact, juju put it on the poll. It's got to hurt juju to put this on the poll. As a Celtics fan, I can't imagine how mad juju is right now at this team. Is Joe Missoula a good coach? Just, by the way. Just. I want everyone to know this because I want to sink in. I want it to fall on Jayson Tatum's head the following. The New York Knicks and their fans, a fan base that has been frustrated for 25 years and hasn't felt this good in 25 years. They absolutely trust the smallest player on the court to break every team's heart. I will say this. Jay Williams said the other day that. He said that Brunson is the best player the Knicks have had. He is not. Okay. I still think Patrick Ewing is that player. However, I will say this. He has a chance to be. And he is already the most beloved New York Nick there has ever been in that town. There has never been a more popular basketball player than Jalen Brunson is right now.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Walt Clyde Frazier would like a word.

[Dan LeBatard]

At lebatard show who is more popular with New York forever. Walt Frazier. And that's fair. I mean, it's fair. What you're saying or Jalen Brunson. Because I would say in the Internet age where sports are more shared than they used to be. I cannot believe how much my New York friends love Jalen Brunson. I am late to this party. Forgive me for this because I've never had a viewing experience like this.

[Chris Cote]

You're forgiven.

[Dan LeBatard]

Thank you. Game one, I'm watching Nick Celtics and I go into the game and I'm like, I don't even want to watch this. And then I'm okay. I'm like. And I'm saying to myself, I wonder who I'm going to root for at the end of this. I do not know. I don't know. So I watched the whole game and at the end of the game, and this is the history, it's just recent history versus long ago history. It's Brunson versus Clyde Frazier. Really. It's what New York Knicks team do you remember? The one that I remember is the one that made me love basketball more than I used to. Because the way the Knicks and Heat fought, I'd never seen anything like that ever watching basketball. And so I grew as a young reporter in this town to have my heart broken when the Knicks as an eight seat beat Pat Riley, who would become my friend with Alan Houston bouncing the ball on the rim. That broke my heart. I hate the New York Knicks. I hate their fans more. The Boston Celtics are more recent as I've seen my friend Pat Riley age. Good God, does he hate the Celtics the last five years. Is Pat Riley still fighting the Boston Celtics? That man still won't speak to Larry Bird if they're in a room together. I've seen the last five years of whatever this Heat thing is, fight and claw and try and the architecture can't quite get up to where all the Celtics first round picks are. You can't you just. So close and gets past it. But now the gap has spread and now my friend ages and his 80 and limping around and he, he finds himself, you know, mocked and Stephen A. Smith says, fire him. And the Celtics are on top of. So I'm watching the end of the game and what comes over me at the end of the game is like, I can't believe this. I don't want the Knicks to win. I don't. I'm surprised by this, but I don't want the Knicks to win. Because back when I was a young guy, that hate boiled in me as a sports fan and it doesn't reach where I am today, where I don't care like that anymore. The series, the last. But I'm sure today's sports fan had found Boston in Boston, Miami to be fascinating and emotional. And it was. But I like Nick's heat better just because those dudes were physically fighting. Jeff Van Gundy was on Alonzo Mourning's calf like Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson. The entire series, everyone knew those guys are gonna fight like, that's not. That's not gonna stay down. And so whatever that was, as a young man created a feeling that at the end of the game, I'm watching and I find myself rooting for Bill Simmons. No, but that happened to me. That. I couldn't help it. That happened to me. That's the.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Oh, no.

[Mike Ryan]

So with all the friends you have in all the different places, you chose Bill Simmons as the friend to go for?

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, because this. The other thing, too, is to root against the Celtics would be to root against Mike Shore to break Mike sh's heart and. And to like, Mike sh has to be really scared right now because God almighty, Celtic fan got cocky the last two years.

[Mike Ryan]

So instead of Mike Scher, you're like, you know, I'm going to. I'm going to pass Mike.

[Stugatz]

Sure.

[Mike Ryan]

And I'm going to go to Bill Simmons. Is he at the top of the Celtics pyramid?

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, I think for sports fans, they associate that media member with that team more than anybody.

[Stugatz]

Mike Scher may or may not have called last night's performance utterly embarrassing.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, well, so. So Celtics fan. So imagine this. I have seen generations of Knicks and Celtics fans grow loud and obnoxious. Like, I've watched it. It's been fascinating to watch Mike Scher used to run. Fire Joe Morgan. Fire Joe Morgan. At the beginning of the Internet age, all these comedy writers on the side were just making fun of sports writing. How terrible it was, how awful the analysis was. All these people in comedy writing were miles smarter than anyone doing the sports writing. Those people from Fire Joe Morgan are still the same kind of fan. Mike Schur is a crazy person. Every day I'll get something from an umpire who missed a strike in Seattle call, and I'll get a chart because he's watching everything, and his brain doesn't work like anyone else's.

[Stugatz]

Mike Ryan Tatum had how many? Mike Shur? Who cares? Bums. The Knicks suck. This is so much worse than losing to the Heat.

[Dan LeBatard]

All right, I'm just going to say this. Tatum is shooting 1 for 12 for 6 points in 2 4th quarters. So far, he's 12 for 42 in the series. But in 2 4th quarters Brunson time 6 points as they cough up 20 point leads.

[Mike Ryan]

Not only that, you can say that Mikel Bridges has been outplaying Jason Tatum in this series, right? Is that a crazy thing to say? Like you talk about the five first round picks, you look across of what he's been doing defensively too. It's like Mikel Bridges has a couple legs to sand on.

[Amin Al Hassan]

He.

[Chris Cote]

Look, I don't know that he does have two legs to stand on.

[Dan LeBatard]

Put it on the poll at ler show. Does Mikel Bridges have a couple legs to stand on the.

[Chris Cote]

The.

[Amin Al Hassan]

I don't know if he'll ever earn five first round pick status but two defensive game winning plays in a row.

[Mike Ryan]

I mean what do you want that.

[Amin Al Hassan]

I mean that's, that's, that's the way you make people forget about how many picks you went for for a very long time. If he win, they win this series. Like he has his fingerprints all over it indelibly. But Dan, I got to go back to. This is a team the Boston Celtics who thought and you believed as of two days ago. Hey man, that's just tears. Hey man, they broke the math on the sport. Hey man, they just know they're smarter than everybody else. And Brad Stevens built a team that nobody else could compete with. Hey man, that's the best team over the last two years. And what you're seeing now is oh yeah, you can't build an entire thing on feast or famine. You have to be able to adjust because they're not robots. You have to be able to adjust. Say this isn't working. We need to attack the basket more. We need to make a bigger effort again to the free throw line. We need to vary it up a little bit. And what's happened is these guys have failed, have failed because they play for a coach who encourages them, who tells them we're not playing wrong, we're just missing shots we usually make or we just making shots we usually miss.

[Mike Ryan]

The thing is when you play that math game of like we're going to try to put up as many threes as possible and then you get a cold streak like this. I mean like this could last the whole series. Like KP's out. We don't know what's.

[Dan LeBatard]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. So let's ask this question real quick. Can it last the whole series? Because it is a lot of small sample sized theater and I mean I think we're headed toward. I may have this wrong. I started down this path yesterday, and we never got there. Basketball has been very predictable throughout my lifetime, and I'm wondering if the randomness of threes is going to make it so. It's about to become vastly less predictable come this time of year because of things like this. The Celtics have missed more three pointers in this series than any team has ever missed in two games consecutively. That's. That's crazy. So in two games, they're shooting 25%. No team has ever shot and missed 75 threes in two games.

[Amin Al Hassan]

But then that, that highlights my point, which is the idea that, like, no team has done that.

[Dan LeBatard]

Why?

[Amin Al Hassan]

Because typically they say, guys, it's not going. Let's try to get something, go to the basket, get some easy ones, get to the free throw line, and then, like, try to play out of that. But the Celtics say, no, we're just going to keep barreling through it because the numbers will bear out. But again, it is not a numbers game. It is a human game. Humans are playing this. And yes, I'm not saying I'm not an ogre. I'm not saying three pointers are bad or whatever. I'm saying two things. Number one is, hey, if it's not going in, maybe try something else. Just. Just until you can get back to it. But the second thing, and this is important, the biggest. I made this joke yesterday. I didn't really explain it when I said you guys missed the Tyrone Hill 18 footer, right? But the reality is the importance of the three point line rests with your role players. They're there to be a deterrent to help defense, helping on your stars, allowing your stars to have forays to the basket, to exist in the mid range, to post up, to do all these things that the most talented among us get to and can do at a high level, right? That's what's happening, or what should be happening when you look at a Warriors game and you marvel at, my God, Steph Curry hitting all these shots. The reality is everyone exists to give Steph Curry the space to do whatever he wants, right? And that's on the ball and off the ball. We're moving and we're passing and we're cutting and we're getting baskets. And if they're so concerned with stopping that guy, guess what, Draymond, you're going to have Jimmy Butler cutting back door. Guess what? You're going to have Kevon Looney ducking in. Guess what? You're going to have down the comingo on a lot. All these things. Happen because they're worried about the three point line, not because all we're going to do is shoot threes all day long. That's the big issue. It's this dogma, this Zealot 3, right, this belief that this is the only way. And anything else is you're playing dumb basketball.

[Stugatz]

There's no body movement for the Celtics offense. That's really frustrating to watch because even at the end of the game, that final possession where Jayson Tatum is going one on one against Mitchell Robinson, there's nothing else happening. So as he's trying to get by one on one and using moves, there's no other options for him. And if you look at it, there was a stretch where they went up 16 with like 8:30 to go. Seven of their next 10 possessions ended with a three point attempt. When you're up 16 with that much time left, it's not just missing threes, it's the time you're deciding to take them. And that's the part of the Celtics offense that's a little bit confusing. Well, you guys have listened to oral history and you know that the origins of this show were once just a dream for Dan and for Stugats. And that dream turned into the show and now the business of Metalark Media and the show that you're listening to today. But starting your own business is a dream that lots of us share. Too many of us let it remain just a dream. So don't hold yourself back thinking, what if I don't have the skills? What if I can't do it alone? Turn those what ifs into why nots. With Shopify by your side, Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, including 10% of all U.S. e commerce. Whether you're Mattel or you're just getting started, Shopify's got your back. Not a web designer, no problem at all. Shopify has beautiful ready to go templates. Need help with the details? Their AI tools can enhance product images, write descriptions and even generate discount codes. Worried about finding customers? Shopify makes marketing easy with email and social media tools. And if I ever get stuck, Shopify's award winning 24. 7 support is always there. Turn those dreams into and give them the best shot at success with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com but go to shopify.com but shopify.com but Game Time is the official ticketing partner of the Dan LeBatard show with Stu Gotz. And folks, as the baseball season continues to unfold here. There are all sorts of great games happening this week and this weekend. I'm thinking specifically the Cubs are in New York this weekend taking on the Mets. I know the Dodgers are playing the Diamondbacks getting into this weekend. There's some really good games. Even the Red Sox against the Kansas City Royals. There's really good games happening throughout the week. And if you want to be able to attend any of these baseball games, which you should Game time makes getting tickets even faster and easier. Prices on the gametime app actually go down the closer it gets to first pitch. Game time takes the guesswork out of buying MLB tickets. You guys know that I want to get out to Pittsburgh and watch a game at that ballpark. I've made it clear on this show several times and for me, the reason I know I'm going to use the gametime app to do it is because they have the lowest price guarantee. So take the guesswork out of buying tickets with GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use code DAN for $20 off. Your first purchase terms apply again, create an account and redeem code dan for $20 off. Download the Gametime app today. Last minute tickets, Lowest price guaranteed.

[Chris Cote]

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[Lowe's Advertisement]

Sub 500 seasons it's been lonely.

[Bobby]

Now.

[Lowe's Advertisement]

The best players on our side.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Been.

[Dan LeBatard]

Losing and losing for much too long. But now we're back with New York Pride stugats.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Jaylen, you've got us on our feet.

[Dan LeBatard]

Jalen we're gonna win the East, Jalen, without Randall, we're still doing fine.

[Bobby]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats.

[Dan LeBatard]

I would say a couple of things to what it is that you guys are saying there. Because they're not gonna change what they do and they shouldn't, this team. Hold on, Amin. Hold on a second. Okay. In the last six years, this is the second time, the second time in 564 games, regular season playoffs that the Celtics have gone two straight shooting 25% from below three. The second time in 564 games. They won the championship last year and won it easily because they are better at this version of this ugly thing that Barkley always feared the warriors of Stephen Clay would become and basketball would become everybody more and more on the perimeter. And it's no more beauty of the game. It's just awful when you miss 75% of your threes. Nobody even wants to watch it. The watch. When I'm watching the Celtics, they are historically great shooting team. And I'm here to tell you those numbers will revert to the mean because they're great at that thing. And also Jayson Tatum is a slicer and they'll figure out how to get more points. He will play more aggressively. He will get foul calls. The Knicks are not going to run away with this series because the Celtics going to shoot 25% from three the rest of the series on uncontested looks from three. Like those are uncontested. That's not great. Like Bridges. Bridges was great last night. His perimeter defense is great. That team's perimeter defense is great. Bridges nearly outscored the Celtics by himself in the fourth quarter. He was great. But the Celtics won a championship last year easily because they do that better than anyone. And the threes, they've missed. It ain't because the Knicks are making them miss them. They're just missing them.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Dan, I think you're going process over results, but I'm going process over results more than you are. My process off. That's what we.

[Dan LeBatard]

Let's have a process off. Let's do it right now. You know what? All right, let's do it. What does that look like? Somebody get me a calculator, get me some spreadsheets, get me some materials that I can process off. I mean, here, this. You know what? This is the future of sports debate right here. I mean, process off right here. Let's do a process off. You and me, last night's game. This is a better way to do this. You know what? Should I wait for Nick Wright to do this?

[Amin Al Hassan]

Nick process off?

[Dan LeBatard]

Look, let's set this up this way. Let's do this this way. Nick Wright is going to join us and I believe that Nick Wright is legitimately the best sports media person doing it. Combining analytics and smart and funny and understanding that this is all pro wrestling and it needs to be entertaining. I think right now in our business, there is no one better doing sports television and sports commentary than Nick Wright. And I want to challenge him right now. You know what, let's build this up. Nick Wright wants to be rivals and nemesis with Mina and Pablo because Mina and Pablo are going to be furious when they hear that I say that Nick Wright is the best. Furious. He wants to compete and be better than everyone. Well, Nick Wright, we're going to about to surprise you with a process off and we're not going to give you any notice. And our whole crew is going to start the new game show Process off where we talk about the result of last night's game. And I bet you we can trap and bury Nick Wright when he tries to come for the king.

[Amin Al Hassan]

We're not doing the process off right now.

[Dan LeBatard]

I want to prepare for the process off. I want to have a process.

[Mike Ryan]

I mean was ready.

[Dan LeBatard]

I want to have a. Well, but we're going to be even more ready with planning and coaching. And coaching mean who? I'm pretty sure. And I don't know where Stugatz is yet. Probably still in traffic. He's going to come in hot because of traffic. But Amin, I think a show or two ago you told me you were not a Knicks fan.

[Amin Al Hassan]

That's right. Oh, this whole thing that I'm wearing right now. Oh, this was completely different. I actually asked Chris. I had this on the on the topic list for days now, which was old clothes, right? Like Zaz came in wearing stuff from like 2015, acting like we should be impressed. I present to you right now a 1994 Anthony Mason replica jersey, which I discovered. I forgot about this. Check the back. It's autographed.

[Dan LeBatard]

Wow.

[Amin Al Hassan]

By the late Anthony Mason. Heat legend Anthony Mason, I might add. Once a Nick, always a Nick.

[Dan LeBatard]

I might shock some people in this room right now who are not young enough or not old enough to know this. Do you guys know who the brother of Anthony Mason is? Do you guys know the name of his brother?

[Amin Al Hassan]

Steve Mason?

[Stugatz]

St. Jackie Mason.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's former Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Hold the.

[Stugatz]

No, I don't know.

[Mike Ryan]

How is that a brother from Another mother situation.

[Dan LeBatard]

But they're no, they're brothers. Legally. They're legally.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Is this a blindside situation?

[Dan LeBatard]

I want you guys to look it up. You guys didn't know that that put it on the poll at LeBatard show.

[Mike Ryan]

He made it in. Jay Fiedler.

[Dan LeBatard]

Is it? Is it?

[Mike Ryan]

No, I didn't have that one, Dan.

[Dan LeBatard]

All right. Well, you're young. You're not. You're too young to know. Put it on the poll at LeBatard show. Or is it possible that Anthony Mason and Jay Fiedler are brothers?

[Amin Al Hassan]

Do we have Sandra Bullock teaching Anthony Mason? This is how you set a screen. You get to lie wide and you don't move until your guard moves.

[Dan LeBatard]

I will continue to prepare for the process. Off in a second. I mean, you are right. Okay. Porzingis is an important player for them. He stretches everything. We talk a lot about Jrue Holiday as the third best player on that team and also the best third player on a team because of how he plays defense. And it is impressive to see Brunson do it against Jrue Holiday because he brings it every time. And Brunson is going into the face of what the Celtics have been its champions and he's doing what Brunson does. Tatum is now at a moment and I mean, I want you to help me with this historically, cooperatively, give me some perspective, give me some analysis on what has ever existed like Jalen Brunson as a surprise as. Because we've seen the growth of Jimmy Butler here. Oh, I didn't think he was that good. Nobody knew Jalen Brunson was this. We, the Knicks seem to have known that he was something, but even they didn't know he was this. No one knew he was this. And it's the smallest player on the court.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Dan, I'm going to answer your question, but first an update from Jeremy.

[Stugatz]

So it seems Jay Fiedler's father was Anthony Mason's coach, but it doesn't seem like he's legally Anthony Mason's father. So I don't know that they're all right.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm going to look it up.

[Stugatz]

Not brother, but he like my third son. I don't think he. He is my third son.

[Bobby]

What do you mean? I get it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Thank you for bringing him back. This was my father earlier in the show. It happens all the time when I rattle him.

[Bobby]

What do you mean? I get it. You know, I'm surprised you enjoy the game last.

[Dan LeBatard]

We've got to do stump the Meech with that. We have to Ask. We have to ask. Meech. What is. What is my father trying to say?

[Bobby]

What do you mean? I get it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Do the whole thing. Let's see if somebody hearing it for the first time after the. What do you mean? And before surprise. If anyone would understand what's being said on that bridge.

[Bobby]

What do you mean? You know, I'm surprised. Didn't you enjoy the game last night?

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm certain Brunson's historical comp.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Okay, so we've got as far as nobody saw.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's a surprise. I know Jokic. Yes, I know. Yes, I know Jokic. No one saw that coming. But I'm talking about go back in time, throughout history and on Brunson, guy gets traded from Dallas to New York, and who expected this most? I'm calling him the most beloved player in Knicks history right now. Right.

[Amin Al Hassan]

So I can't speak to beloved. I don't know what metric there is for that. But if you want guys like that. Jokic, obviously, as a draft pick, Steph Curry, although being a top 10 pick, was a guy that a lot of people had question marks around. And the first few years in the league, he was a good player and a good shooter. No one saw him sending to this level. Steve Nash is another guy who was drafted and traded and then given up by surprise. Surprise. Dallas Mavericks as well, right? Where it's like, you're not quite good enough. I think the Brunson thing, what makes it interesting was I remember going to Jalen Brunson's very first game in the NBA. They're playing the Suns, and I saw Rick Brunson for the game, and I said, hey, like, congratulations on your son being drafted and everything. You know, like, this must be cool. And he's like, yeah, no, it's pretty. It's pretty cool. And he was like, yeah, I don't think he's going to get any minutes, though. Like, he was already tempering his expectations on Jalen Brunson's playing time. And lo and behold, he actually played that night and played really well. And so I was like, oh, that's pretty cool. But there was no expectation from anyone that this guy would be a face of the NBA. There were people who thought he was going to be a good NBA player because he was a smart guard and he was a winner in college. But, I mean, I know there's a clip from Stephen A. Smith going around, going viral, where he said, there are no NBA players on this Villanova team. This was back then, and that was kind of the general Consensus is that maybe there are no NBA players, but these guys, none of these guys are going to be stars. They're just going to be good, solid role players who find a place here and there. And so, yes, in that sense, Brunson's ascension is a little unprecedented. But like I said, there are other guys who have gone through this where they were discarded and kind of not believed in. And then they found stardom, true stardom, somewhere else.

[Mike Ryan]

All those Villanova guys are now all on the Knicks, except for Dante.

[Dan LeBatard]

I have just been informed that Stugatz has arrived in the building. And I am here to tell you, he's glowing. He looks 10 years younger. He is radiant. He is beaming. This begins the rejuvenation of Stugats. The Knicks matter. This is, I mean, is anyone going to dispute that this is about as good as the Knicks have felt since Larry Josh hit that four point play against Indiana. And I don't even know if that was this century.

[Amin Al Hassan]

It was not this century. It was 1999. That was pre Y2K. Dan. Forget pre 9, 11. Pre Y2K, we were so worried about. Our computers are going to explode, guys. They don't know the dates. It's going to think it's 1900 all over again.

[Dan LeBatard]

Put it on the poll at Levittard show. Do you know what Y2K was? Trust me, Amin and I are old enough to realize that in the year 2000, as it approached, everyone thought that at New Year's all our computers and just so that you know, shouldn't be worried about AI at all when I tell you how ignorant we were in 2000 about what the computers might do to us. We thought at the time when this, when the clock struck Midnight and Y2K that all of the computers would stop working and the world would no longer work.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Tony. No, Chris, Chris, I'm telling you, they told us the computer's going to think it's 1900 and then all the planes were gonna fly from, gonna fall from the sky, like everything was gonna crash. Power was gonna go out. They told us the end of the world is coming and people were working round the clock to fix it. It's not one of those things where we thought it was gonna be bad. No. Fix what?

[Mike Ryan]

Ami? Cause like, how do you go into everybody's computer, be like, oh, instead of 1999, it's gotta be two in front of the 00.

[Amin Al Hassan]

No, it wasn't even. Because Tony wasn't 1999. The problem was because when they started making computers, the dates were like, you know, 5, 1198. Yeah, they didn't have 1998. And so when 00 hits, the computers didn't know that that meant, oh, we're now into a new millennia. They thought, oh, no, we started back at 1900. So what ended up happening was they had to reprogram systems all over the world to go from two digit dates to four digit dates.

[Dan LeBatard]

I cannot believe I am so happy to announce, ladies and gentlemen, all of Amin grow up from a young new media person into rising star. An elder. Ladies and gentlemen, Amin Al Hassan. An elder telling the kids about what Y2K was and enjoying the holy hell out of it. Because he is an elder.

[Mike Ryan]

Damn. We don't call him elders anymore. We call him Unk.

[Dan LeBatard]

Congratulations, Dale.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Avatar Ankh.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes, yes. One of those is in trouble right now. I'll try to stay away from those problems.

[Stugatz]

The little red baseball hat and Bruce Springsteen's back pocket on the Born in the USA cover hat. Hall of Fame.

[Amin Al Hassan]

That wasn't a bandana.

[Stugatz]

Blues Brothers. No, he wore a bandana a lot of times during that tour. But no, that's Mandela effect.

[Dan LeBatard]

I have purposely not talked once about the Panthers. We'll get to that in a second. I don't know where Roy is. I think he's still in traffic. I would assume after not being afraid. And we're the Panthers not afraid of anything. You get beat by the backup goalie. Seems like it's kind of insane in Toronto. Wouldn't want to play a game seven there.

[Amin Al Hassan]

I would love to ask the question to Zaslo today. Might one say that the Maple Leafs took that ass? Perhaps.

[Chris Cote]

So far, so far long series. But yeah, it doesn't look good right now.

[Dan LeBatard]

I am looking at Stugatz in the control room. Look at him. He has come in into the control room and he is as happy as I've ever seen him. You thought he was stepping back. He's stepping in, he's stepping out and he's stepping up. Knicks fans dugat someone I've never seen in my life. I've worked with him 20 years, has never felt this good in 25. He's hidden from me for 20 years. Today Stu Gotts wins. Stu Gotts will be in here shortly for a process off with Nick Wright. I would love St. Gotz to join the process off as one of the kings of debate in this country.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Dan, if I may serve up an appetizer for later while you think of your process. Yeah, because there's another process you need to think about. Two days ago, Dan Lebatard was burying the Oklahoma City Thunder. It's over. They lost the game.

[Dan LeBatard]

What?

[Amin Al Hassan]

He's the best player in the world. What are they gonna do? They beat him BY Damn near 50, Dan. The highest plus minus in the history of NBA playoffs. Plus 51 for Shake Alexander in three quarters. In three. He didn't even play the fourth.

[Dan LeBatard]

I. I have never seen a playoff game where A team has 87 points at the half. No one has. It's never happened. Yes. Okay. Yes. I've never seen it. 87 struck me as an unusual number. I also wasn't aware that the Oklahoma City Thunder, by the way, an extraordinary basketball team, truly capable of winning the championship, hadn't lost back to back games since 2023. They don't lose two in a row because they're great. Like you beat them once. It's a surprise. And they had it. Was it December? Was it November? They do not lose back to back games because they're great. They're better. Because they're better than everyone. Like, we can. That's hard. Stop. Right? I mean, that's hard. Stop. The Oklahoma City Thunder are better than everyone?

[Amin Al Hassan]

Yes. I mean, I said that to you months ago. I said they have.

[Dan LeBatard]

Remember?

[Amin Al Hassan]

You mocked me about it two days ago. I mean, says they have no flaws. But then here comes this guy from Serbia. And I said, said, Dan, Dan, it's the playoffs.

[Dan LeBatard]

What's the sound? Did you do a fake Levitard? Let me hear some fake Lebitard argue with my father over here. Let's hear. Let's hear what this sounds like.

[Bobby]

What do you mean? I get it. I did.

[Amin Al Hassan]

Well, dad, didn't you see Jason Tatum? He couldn't get anything done.

[Bobby]

Didn't you enjoy the game last night?

[Amin Al Hassan]

I did. It was amazing. The math was just not mathing last night. But over time, it'll work out. You don't agree? What was that?

[Dan LeBatard]

Our own version of AI Game Time.

[Stugatz]

Is the official ticketing partner of the Dan LeBatard show with Stu Gotts. And guys, as you know, over the last few years, I've had the opportunity to be at some pretty incredible playoff games with the Miami Heat. I've had friends who have really wanted to be there, and unfortunately they couldn't yet get in the door. So as the NBA playoffs continue to evolve throughout this season and we get into the second round with teams all over the country playing in huge games, game time is where you want to be. Game time makes getting tickets faster and easier even for hard to get playoff seats. Prices on the gametime app actually go down the closer it gets to tip off for me as I'm trying to get tickets and I might travel out to either the Eastern Conference Finals or the Western Conference finals to just go watch some incredible basketball. With killer last minute deals all in prices, views from your seat, and their lowest price guarantee, GameTime takes the guesswork out of buying NBA playoff Tickets. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use code DAN for $20 off. Your first purchase terms apply. Again, create an account and redeem code dan for $20 off. Download the Gametime app today. Last minute tickets, lowest price guaranteed.