Postgame Show: Greg Cote's Top 1 Handles (feat. JuJu Gotti)

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Postgame Show: Greg Cote's Top 1 Handles (feat. JuJu Gotti)
Release Date: July 1, 2025

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1. Introduction to Player Trades and Movements

The episode kicks off with hosts Dan Le Batard and Chris Haynes diving into the latest NBA and WNBA player trades, setting the stage for a dynamic discussion about roster changes and their implications.

Damian Lillard initiates the conversation at [00:32], expressing frustration over being overlooked in discussions about Miles Turner, highlighting the interconnectedness of player narratives:

"Damian Damian Lillard wave. Now there's more action there." [00:44]

Chris Haynes responds by analyzing the potential motivations behind Damian's actions, suggesting that Damian might be trying to enhance his own image amidst ongoing drama in Portland. He further touches upon the ripple effects of trades on team dynamics and player morale:

"Giannis is not happy about Damian Lillard waved." [00:53]

2. Analyzing Recent Trades and Their Impact

The hosts dissect recent trades, particularly focusing on the movements of Dario Saric and Jonas Valančiūnas, exploring their new team affiliations and the strategic reasons behind these decisions.

Chris Haynes provides insight into the trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, emphasizing that Giannis wasn't directly anticipating Damian Lillard's move:

"It's not like Giannis was counting on Damian Lillard to be there." [00:53]

Damian Lillard humorously speculates about Valančiūnas' current whereabouts, adding a personal touch to the discussion:

"I saw him wandering around with that mustache on the bench of the Nuggets this off season and collecting money." [01:40]

3. Player Rankings and Fan Perceptions

The conversation shifts to player rankings, particularly discussing Caitlin Clark and her placement in the rankings by her peers. This segues into a broader discussion about player availability and its impact on performance metrics.

Mike (JuJu Gotti) highlights the importance of availability in player evaluations:

"Caitlin has missed seven games due to injury and as we all know your best ability is your availability." [02:12]

Damian Lillard underscores the complexity of player rankings by delving into transaction impacts:

"We were talking about transactions among the men. How about Vegas and Dallas?" [02:37]

4. Equality in Fan Sentiment: The Angel Reese Segment

A significant portion of the episode tackles the topic of equality in fan sentiments towards male and female athletes, sparked by the performance and public perception of Angel Reese.

Mike brings up a pertinent question regarding the ability to express dislike for athletes irrespective of gender:

"When am I allowed to dislike a WNBA player?" [04:05]

Chris Haynes agrees, advocating for equal treatment in fan opinions:

"That's true equality to be able to irrationally hate an athlete regardless of gender." [04:16]

The discussion intensifies as Damian Lillard shares a humorous yet pointed message about Angel Reese:

"Roz has just sent me a text that says, game sucks. That Angel Reese, Eastern Conference player of the..." [04:29]

This segment emphasizes the show's commitment to addressing gender equality in sports fandom.

5. Greg Cote's "Top 5 Handles" List

A highlight of the episode is the introduction of Greg Cote's Top 5 Handles list, where the hosts evaluate some of the greatest ball-handling skills in basketball history.

Damian Lillard sets the stage for the segment, inviting JuJu Gotti to share his thoughts:

"Top five handles. Earlier in the show, surely you had opinions on that list." [05:00]

Mike critiques the list with a blend of humor and analysis:

"Number five, Jamal Crawford. Wow." [05:43]

The discussion continues with a playful disagreement over rankings, highlighting the subjective nature of such lists:

"He was tier three. That's bullshit." [06:03] – Damian Lillard

Chris Haynes chimes in with enthusiasm, supporting the inclusion of legendary players:

"And number one, Skip to my Lou. Rafer Austin." [06:32]

The segment wraps up with light-hearted banter about the credibility and memorability of the list, underscoring the friendly competition among hosts.

6. Audience Interaction and Polls

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts engage with their audience through interactive polls, adding an element of listener participation to the show.

Damian Lillard introduces the polls, prompting JuJu Gotti to share the results:

"But let's update some polls first here for us, juju." [06:43]

One notable poll addresses the acceptability of expressing superiority over others respectfully:

"Is it okay for you to say that you've taken a bigger crap than someone if you say respectfully?" [07:28]
"69% of the audience says y." [07:30]

Chris Haynes humorously remarks on the low percentage, highlighting the challenges of assertive self-expression:

"We're gonna have both small, small brains. Gotta think bigger." [07:23]

7. Closing Remarks on Greg Cote's List

In the final moments, Damian Lillard and Chris Haynes bring the focus back to Greg Cote's influential list, blending critique with appreciation for its compilation.

Damian Lillard teases the unique nature of the top handle on the list:

"When a handle's a nickname and not handling a basketball is the leather loop strap on a 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air." [07:43]

Chris Haynes concludes with a nod to the show’s humor and camaraderie:

"Played hurt, delivered a bar." [08:16]

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Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz masterfully intertwines sports analysis, humor, and social commentary. From dissecting player trades and rankings to advocating for gender equality in sports fandom and celebrating iconic basketball moves, the hosts provide a comprehensive and engaging discourse. Notably, the inclusion of audience polls and interactive elements ensures that listeners feel a part of the conversation, making the show both informative and entertaining for new and existing fans alike.

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Notable Quotes:

• "Caitlin has missed seven games due to injury and as we all know your best ability is your availability." — Mike [02:12]

• "That's true equality to be able to irrationally hate an athlete regardless of gender." — Chris Haynes [04:16]

• "When a handle's a nickname and not handling a basketball is the leather loop strap on a 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air." — Damian Lillard [07:43]

Transcript

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[Damian Lillard]

Damian Lillard waved. I'm not going to allow you guys to just skip past that to tell me about Miles Turner when I've got.

[Chris Haynes]

A Hawks Turner story without telling the.

[Damian Lillard]

Damian Damian Lillard wave. Now there's more action there. What's happening Chris Haynes it doesn't stop trading Chris Pat's gonna go whale watching now, huh?

[Chris Haynes]

This is a point for standing pat, by the way. I will, I will say because things are opening up a little bit. But Chris Haynes is reporting that Giannis is not happy about Damian Lillard waved. Now you could wonder what that's all about because it's not like Giannis was counting on Damian Lillard to be there or he can piece tea leaves together. Stugats and I know you like to do this. Yeah, we know from the Damian drama over in Portland. Chris Haynes is Damian Lillard's guy. What if Damian Lillard fed this make Damian Lillard look a little bit better. Giannis misses me and he co signs that with Giannis which is the superstar doing the superstar thing when he wants to get out there and also trades from eight years ago that actually happened today. Dario Saric and Jonas Valanchunas got good for one another.

[Mike]

Wow.

[Damian Lillard]

Still playing, huh?

[Chris Haynes]

Where either guy is.

[Damian Lillard]

Valen Shunas I think was with Sacramento.

[Chris Haynes]

Yeah, there's a good bet. If you are not sure where someone.

[Damian Lillard]

Went get Sacramento and Sarich. The Suns is two teams ago in Denver. I I saw him wandering around with that mustache on the bench of the Nuggets this off season and collecting money.

[Chris Haynes]

Was to hide the did not even get in the game once.

[Damian Lillard]

Juj, thank you for joining us. I know you saw the voting much different than the fan voting. Caitlin Clark voted the ninth best guard in the sport according to her peers.

[Mike]

Yeah, I think it's some context that has to be added there. You feel me? Caitlyn has missed seven games due to injury and as we all know your best ability is your availability. So I think that's what's happening with the players. A smidget of hate. I can't lie smidget of hate to be number nine. I would. I would go about like number five, five or six. But yeah, her missing games played a big part in that.

[Damian Lillard]

We were talking about transactions among the men. How about Vegas and Dallas? Surprising. Hate it when players are traded and are totally surprised by it. Had no idea it was coming, right?

[Mike]

That was a big shocker. Melissa Smith traded to the Vegas Aces and we all know her girlfriend, Dijonay Carrington also plays with her in the wings. So they were both blindsided. They both took to Twitter and told us how heartbroken they are. But it's not a bad thing to get to play with Asia Wilson right now. And the Dallas is more in the rebuild stage because they got a lot of big players over there but not necessarily a lot of space to play them. So I think it's a good trade, but still definitely heartbroken when you got to leave your shorty.

[Damian Lillard]

That one hurts there, but you're saying you're putting the spin on it. But I get to play with Asia. It's like that right there is also.

[Chris Haynes]

Probably one of the other places where we won't get to full equality amongst both leagues.

[Damian Lillard]

Thank you, Mike. I'm glad you brought that back.

[Chris Haynes]

Can you imagine Valentunas and Sarich are dating one another?

[Mike]

Oh, what?

[Chris Haynes]

This is awkward.

[Damian Lillard]

I can't imagine it. I like to imagine it.

[Mike]

Right? And Mike, you took a little bit of steam earlier. We had this conversation about a month back with the girls from Jocular, the Jocular podcast, Adam McKay's new podcast with TN Tran and Katie Kershaw, where I asked them, when am I allowed to dislike a WNBA player? Now I have a little more context than you have. Just angel like. But I. I see Marina Mabry. I'd be like, I don't like her. Can I just not like her vocally?

[Chris Haynes]

There you go.

[Mike]

You feel me?

[Chris Haynes]

I appreciate that.

[Mike]

I definitely agree.

[Chris Haynes]

And I also appreciate you falling for Dan's trap of making me an Angel Reese hater when I just used her as an example. But that's true equality to be able to irrationally hate an athlete regardless of gender. That's when we know we're even.

[Damian Lillard]

Roz has just sent me a text that says, game sucks. That Angel Reese, Eastern Conference player of the Please show this to to Ryan.

[Chris Haynes]

Can you clarify? Number one, it's Mike. And number two, I don't hate Angel Reese, but now I do.

[Mike]

24 points, 17 rebounds, seven assists in her last game. Too bad timing on that one. But we all know my brother Mike, don't hate her at all. Until now.

[Chris Haynes]

Until now.

[Damian Lillard]

Thank you Maga. Mike. Mondays is where we're headed. Top five handles. Earlier in the show, surely you had opinions on that list. What did you think of AI climbing into a bracket jacket where he could be found with Kyrie Irving?

[Mike]

Yeah, that. That inspired me to make my own top 5 NBA handle list ever of all time.

[Damian Lillard]

Get to Greg Cody's list of one. Maybe. Maybe let one handle.

[Mike]

No handle.

[Damian Lillard]

I can. Yeah. Oh yeah. At the end. At the end we'll close the episode. We'll get the big one. Top one, Greg Cody handle. Thank you for doing. Do you have it still?

[Mike]

I mean it's written down. Okay.

[Damian Lillard]

I mean it's committed to memory. All right, go ahead, juju. It's a lot to remember as you know, so many.

[Mike]

Oh lie. Stevie Franchise.

[Damian Lillard]

Tier four according to that bogus list.

[Mike]

Right? Number five, Jamal Crawford. Wow.

[Damian Lillard]

Jay crossover.

[Mike]

Number four, Jason Williams. White chocolates. He should be tier two number.

[Damian Lillard]

He was tier three. That's bullshit.

[Mike]

Yeah, right. Number three, Allen Iverson. The answer. Number two, Kyrie Irving.

[Damian Lillard]

Yep. Here comes Pistol Pete. Wait a minute, what's he gonna be put higher than Kyrie Irving.

[Chris Haynes]

Guns up.

[Mike]

And. And number one, Skip to my Lou. Rafer Austin.

[Damian Lillard]

Palm the ball. I mean, skip to my Lou. We will get it at the end there. GRE Cody from you number one handles of all time. But let's update some polls first here for us, juju.

[Mike]

Yes, sir. And while I get grabbed the polls, Billy, I got a little something for you. Shelly is allowed to be angry, but she should be a little bit more angry at herself from Love island because Ace Coco was very good. Coco. He eliminated Coco with thinking. You know what? This is gonna bring me and Shelly together. Ready? Exactly. As soon as he let it back in, she said, oh, I want to keep things open with Chris the six eight stall. And now he's in love with Huda. But Hudda did take it too far. Neither here nor there does there need to be a match in order for there to be a rematch. 97% of the audience says yes there does.

[Chris Haynes]

We're gonna have both small, small brains. Gotta think bigger. That's what I'm trying to tell you.

[Mike]

Right? And the last poll. Is it okay for you to say that you've taken a bigger crap than someone if you say respectfully at the end, 69% of the audience says y. All right, win a victory.

[Damian Lillard]

Billy. Always a man in the audience, a man of the people. Go ahead and finish us up here. Greg Cody. The number one top one handle of all time. When a handle's a nickname and not handling a basketball is the leather loop strap on a 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air. Bit wordy. I'm glad we waited for it. Couldn't come up with five. When you got one that good, how can you come up with four more?

[Chris Haynes]

Played hurt, delivered a bar.