Postgame Show: The Tyrese Haliburton Debate (feat. JuJu Gotti)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Postgame Show: The Tyrese Haliburton Debate (feat. JuJu Gotti)
Release Date: June 11, 2025
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
Featured Guest: JuJu Gotti

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1. Boldest Takes Compilation

The episode kicks off with the hosts sharing their "Boldest Takes," a segment where listeners call in with their most daring opinions on various topics.

• Chris Cody (00:30): "If a six-game series is a long series, a five-game series can't be a short series. You can't go straight from short to long. One of those has to be a medium series."

• Jed from Kansas City (02:04): "I maintain that three that are good is better than one great hamburger."

• Billy Corben (02:23): "Controversial."

• Chris Cody (02:24): "Why is it if you were at a restaurant with a buddy and he ordered some mozzie sticks, you wouldn't think anything of it? Nice appetizer. But if you sat across from that same guy and he opened up eight string cheeses, you'd think he's a psychopath."

Discussion Highlights:

• The hosts debate the merits of sliders versus cheeseburgers, with Jorge Sedano (02:48) advocating for sliders, though Dan Le Batard (02:23) argues that five sliders are necessary to surpass a single cheeseburger.

• Stugotz (02:56) chimes in humorously, emphasizing the preference for more sliders over fewer.

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2. Panthers Performance and Bam Adebayo's Drum-Banging Incident

The conversation shifts to the recent performance of the Panthers, focusing on Bam Adebayo's unconventional behavior during a game.

• Mike Ryan (03:46): "Bam Adebayo came out to bang the drum... But we got the W so we can't complain."

• Dan Le Batard (04:14): "Are you saying that Bam did it as poorly as I did or about the same? Better? Worse. What are you saying?"

• Mike Ryan (04:20): "As equally as poorly as you did... both of you were strong. Neither of you were the worst." (Greg Cote, 04:28)

Discussion Highlights:

• The hosts discuss the tradition of fans expecting Bam Adebayo to bang the drum after victories, debating his performance compared to Dan's own attempts.

• Greg Cote (05:11) humorously suggests auctioning off Dan’s Panthers jersey if the team continues to struggle.

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3. The Tyrese Haliburton Debate

A significant portion of the episode centers around Tyrese Haliburton and his performance in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder.

• Mike Ryan (07:36): "Tyrese Halliburton shrinks in those big moments... he will not win another game."

• Juju Gotti (08:29): "He's a clutch merchant."

• Dominique Foxworth (09:17): "He can't overcome it. He can't find an extra gear."

• Billy Corben (09:45): "Halliburton needs a bigger game than 13 points to be a star."

• Jorge Sedano (11:30): "OKC's the best defense we've ever seen in NBA history."

Key Points:

• Mike Ryan criticizes Haliburton for not performing consistently in high-pressure situations, labeling him a "choking choker" who fails in big moments (07:36).

• Juju Gotti defends Haliburton, calling him a "clutch merchant" and argues that his performance over 48 minutes should be considered rather than just the final moments (08:29).

• Dominique Foxworth highlights the defensive prowess of the OKC Thunder as a significant factor undermining Haliburton’s effectiveness (09:17).

• The debate touches on Haliburton's shooting efficiency and his ability to influence the game beyond scoring, with Jorge Sedano praising OKC's defensive strategy (11:30).

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4. Poll Updates and Lighthearted Banter

The hosts engage the audience with interactive polls, fostering a mix of humor and relatable topics.

• Chicken Noodle Soup Poll:

  • Mike Ryan (14:01): "Juju is chicken noodle soup. The king of the soups. 65% of the audience says, yes, it is."

• Matzo Ball Debate:

  • Stugotz (14:16): "That's a win for us matzo ball folks, too."

• Hallelujah as a Middle Name:

  • Mike Ryan (15:09): "51% of the audience says no. It is not. Damn."

• Split Pea Soup Cold Consumption:

  • Mike Ryan (15:29): "88% of the audience says no. They will not."

Discussion Highlights:

• The hosts joke about the variations of soup preferences, with Dan Le Batard (15:35) affirming the universal need for soup to be warm.

• Mike Ryan reveals a humorous anecdote about Maury Povich, leading to playful banter about age and honesty (12:38).

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5. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Shows

As the episode concludes, Dan Le Batard invites listeners to tune into the upcoming shows, emphasizing the continuation of the debates and sports coverage.

• Dan Le Batard (17:17): "Join us tonight 8:00pm on YouTube broadcasting what should have been the Knicks and OKC. Watch Lou Dort and the strangling defense of OKC make Juju and others say that Halliburton is a choking choker who does not do big things in big moments."

• Dominique Foxworth (17:43): "It's very easy for Brad. It's eye level."

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Conclusion

In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, the hosts deliver a dynamic mix of bold opinions, in-depth sports analysis, and engaging audience interaction. The central debate on Tyrese Haliburton's clutch performance against the OKC Thunder sparks lively discussion among the hosts and their guest, JuJu Gotti. Additionally, lighthearted segments like the "Boldest Takes" and interactive polls add a layer of humor and relatability, ensuring the show remains both informative and entertaining for listeners.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris Cody (00:30): "You can't go straight from short to long. One of those has to be a medium series."

• Mike Ryan (07:36): "Tyrese Halliburton shrinks in those big moments... he will not win another game."

• Juju Gotti (08:29): "He's a clutch merchant."

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and humorous exchanges from the episode, providing a clear overview for those who haven't listened.

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

Before we welcome in juju here, boldest takes have gotten better. These phone lines are. I'm going to say Cracklin. I'm going to say they're Cracklin. They're officially at Cracklin. 305486. Gotts is the number. 468-930-548-64689. How were the boldest take compilations today?

[Greg Cote]

Another strong week. It's the boldest take and it is presented by Boost Mobile, the newest 5G network in in the country.

[Chris Cody]

Hi, this is Scronjay from a Rotary. My boldest take is if a six game series is a long series, a five game series can't be a short series. You can't go straight from short to long. One of those has to be a medium series.

[Dan Le Batard]

Hey, this is Brad from a house phone.

[Mike Ryan]

Guy who says said thing or said.

[Chris Cody]

Person instead of the thing or the person.

[Ethan]

Bobrovsky. Ba ba ba ba ba Bobrovsky. Ba ba ba ba ba ba. Bob Brofsky. Stop that shot. Bob Brofski. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You're blocking every puck and standing on your head. Bob Rosky. Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob Bobrotsky. This is Ethan on a mobile. This is a song about Tua in the style of Dora the Explorer. Toot toot toot tua tu tu tua tu tu tu tu tua tu tu tua tua tua tua. You're our qb. You had one healthy year, but was it fluky? Grab your helmet, let's go. Guardian captain on the nose. Please protect your brain. Two, two, two, a two, two, a two, two, two, two, two. Why is he not sliding? Why is he not sliding? Oh, man. Two is not our cubee.

[Chris Cody]

This is Jed from Kansas City on a payphone. I maintain that three that are good is better than one great hamburger.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's a good take.

[Billy Corben]

Controversial.

[Chris Cody]

Hey, it's Justin from a car phone. First time, Long time. My hot take is, why is it if you were at a restaurant with a buddy and he ordered some mozzie sticks, you wouldn't think anything of it? Nice appetizer. But if you sat across from that same guy and he opened up eight string cheeses, you'd think he's a psychopath. I'll hang up and listen.

[Dan Le Batard]

Are three sliders better than a cheeseburger or does it need to be five?

[Jorge Sedano]

I'm team slider. If you get a couple of good sliders, all of a sudden it's like, I've got.

[Dan Le Batard]

But it needs to be more than three, though. It needs to be five. No, three is not enough to be better.

[Stugotz]

As long as they're not two, apparently.

[Greg Cote]

And four is a short series, five is a medium sized series. Six and seven long.

[Dan Le Batard]

Juju. I'm sorry that that is your welcoming music tonight. I will remind the audience that we are doing a pre game show to Alley oop, which is the main show, which is the post game on Indiana and okc. So juju is going to be with us on both shows tonight. But want you to check out Alley OOP after our show with Mero Juju. Welcome to the program. Did you have any opinions from our audience on where it is that we landed a month ago on our Panthers conversation and Mike Ryan being mad in general at the Panthers coverage of this show again for the third consecutive year, an annual tradition.

[Mike Ryan]

I think we overlooked a big fact that happened. A big thing that happened in the last game. Bam Adebayo came out to bang the drum. He was accompanied by the birthday boy, ud And I dare I say he might have did the same job you did. My boy was fast on the trigger. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. Let's go, Bam. Calm it down. But we got the W so we can't complain.

[Dan Le Batard]

Are you saying that Bam did it as poorly as I did or about the same? Better? Worse. What are you saying?

[Mike Ryan]

As equally as poorly as you did. Whatever you did, the NBA superstar Bam, out of bio did the same thing.

[Greg Cote]

Similar grade for me. I think you guys were both strong. Neither of you were the worst that.

[Stugotz]

Have done like that.

[Dan Le Batard]

Superstar.

[Dominique Foxworth]

It's not a superstar.

[Dan Le Batard]

You guys did say I did it better than Jaime Hawkes. Yes, yes, you did. And so who's going to bang the drum next? You guys talk about this every game.

[Greg Cote]

We were hoping Coco G. But I'm seeing that she was on first take this morning. I mean she could still get here by I think.

[Dominique Foxworth]

I think so.

[Dan Le Batard]

Is she driving Every time you think that you want. You want to know who it is that's banging the drum?

[Greg Cote]

I want that scoop. Yeah, who's.

[Dominique Foxworth]

It's important.

[Dan Le Batard]

Who do you want it to be?

[Dominique Foxworth]

Not jock. Jack Nicklaus can't have that.

[Stugotz]

Oh, no, I want it to be Ariana Grande.

[Greg Cote]

Well, game seven last year was Luongo, so I assume we're going to go back to that. Well, if we have a game six because it worked out so well last time. Game four.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't know.

[Greg Cote]

It's tough maybe. Do you bust out a marino again?

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, I think we should sell the. I think we should auction off Dan's Dan Leitar's Panthers jersey since he we know he's not going to wear it again. The Panther Panthers win. Let's auction that jerseys off to the fan.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay maybe we'll do that tonight during our watch party. 8 o' clock as the pregame to our you've been on it today not.

[Jorge Sedano]

Wanting to talk basketball dance crazy good today.

[Dan Le Batard]

Chris. You had a hell of a day today. I wanted to talk with the group and specifically Dominique about Trey Hendrickson. Okay. Is among three players. Watt is one of them that they're just skipping minicamp. I'm assuming they don't want to just practice this time of year and I wouldn't blame them. But Bengals rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart has waded into the mess in Cincinnati and Juju he says he's what percent wrong. Like how is it that a rookie is getting involved in this nonsense with with with Hendrickson's contract.

[Mike Ryan]

Right. He said he's at least 1% wrong because he has already signed the contract making himself he thought about himself 100% right. So I wanted to ask Dominique like what does that type of talk do to a locker room be bro?

[Juju]

Well I mean I think the the there's always a divide in an organization and all the teams I played on like the coaches and stuff were upstairs and the players were downstairs and so there was clear like us here are together. But it feels as though the Bengals because of their history that team I feel like draws closer because their organization is so uniquely stingy and awkward to their players. It's like I honestly it's pretty cool to it's not cool to have contract disputes but it's pretty cool to come into a locker room in the way that Shamar Stewart is coming into the locker room in complete support of Trey Hendrickson. And I think that they all recognize like is all we got. We all we got I'm proudly think the coaches feel the same way. So it's hard to predict how these things will happen having not been in locker room but given the history of that team I think the players are probably pretty close.

[Dan Le Batard]

What are you guys laughing about back there? Is it it can't be about this Bengals talk.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yeah it was a laugh right? No, we were talking about something else back here.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay great. I'm glad that that's what you were doing the NBA Finals Game 3 tonight Pacers OKC. We have our show and then we have after that again because it's going to be three shows in 20 hours. We have the post game show with Juju, do you have any thoughts here on what's going on with the Pacers and Halliburton?

[Mike Ryan]

Juju, Bruh, I feel like the Pacers have made a grave mistake. They did the Knicks thing where they changed the street names around the arena to the player's name and their jersey number. I think you can stick a fork in the Pacers right now. They will not win another game. Take it from me, they will not win another game. Tonight is a legacy game for Tyrese Halliburton because he shrinks in those big moments, you feel me? Like, so he's right now big.

[Dan Le Batard]

He shrinks moments.

[Mike Ryan]

He shrinks in the big the game because the game is more than that last little second. You need the team to get you to that moment. If the team don't get him to that moment, what he does, five points here, five shots in the game. Right now, he's big shot. Tie to me, like, yeah, I'm impressed. But you. You got to get the ring. So I think that it's a legacy game. Can he put together a complete game to. For his team to get on his back tonight? That's the test.

[Juju]

He's a clutch merchant.

[Stugotz]

Basically have Tyrese Halliburton as, like, Derek Fisher, which is interesting, but.

[Greg Cote]

But juju, Jam Bennett plays his best at the best moments.

[Stugotz]

Do you think that there's a chance that the Pacers did this with the streets to make fun of the Knicks and New York City? Like, do you think that they're in on the joke potentially of like, oh, as we come home, we have to name all these streets because that's what the Knicks did?

[Mike Ryan]

All right, look, maybe they ain't on it, but hey, in or not, you're jinxing yourself. You could play with the Knicks if you want to. You beat him already. Don't kick a man while he's down. Them folks can't even find a coach over there. But your. Your task right now is s. I'm pretty sure that brother don't give a damn about what street he finna kick your ass on tonight.

[Dan Le Batard]

I need a clarification, though, on Tyrese Halliburton not being clutch because when he's. He's right.

[Juju]

No, no, he didn't say he wasn't.

[Jorge Sedano]

He did not say he wasn't clutch. He says he has to have the game that proves that he's going to be playing well in the playoffs, not the game that disappears. Seven points, eight shots, and then a couple of free throws.

[Billy Corben]

And juju is exactly right. And the Last game proved that. He's right. Halliburton. If he doesn't hit that last shot, everybody's going, what a terrible game he had. He had like, 13 points. If you're going to be the star of the team, Siakam is, in my opinion, you need a bigger game than 13 points.

[Dominique Foxworth]

You guys are making him bam, out of bio. Like, he's 13 of 15 in the final two minutes. To either on shots that either are tying or.

[Jorge Sedano]

That's what we're talking about. There's 46 other minutes. I didn't say shit.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Juju said he shrinks in big moments.

[Mike Ryan]

Maybe. Maybe he doesn't shrink in the biggest of moments. I can admit maybe I was wrong in there. I was wrong with that. Not the biggest moments. The big one in the NBA Finals. Your team needs you for 48 minutes. Don't just pop up at 49 or 47 thinking that, oh, it was all good and it's all forgiving. No, because the next game, when we needed you, you thinking we going to carry over the finish line again?

[Greg Cote]

I'm with you. 40 minutes are big moments. Last eight, biggest.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Yeah, no, he's got. No, he's in hell for most of the minutes outside of the last two generally. And I kind of get it. It's a little adjacent to, like, the Steph Curry thing. I just kind of want to see him be good.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah.

[Dominique Foxworth]

In the finals.

[Dan Le Batard]

I understand it's what you want, but he is a pure point guard. And I will remind you again, these things will get difficult to talk about if you keep doing it about stars and don't allow for the fact OKC does that to two people. Like, you're just not. I get you want more from Tyrese Halliburton. He's giving you plenty. I know you want more, but to be a champion, you're going to have to get over a defense that's going to do this.

[Dominique Foxworth]

That's right. And F fans are totally inclined to say, like, let's see it. It's cool to say, like, that's what they do to people. Well, that's what the Panthers do to Conor McDavid. Everybody wants to see Connor McDavid break through and overcome that. And it's fair for people to expect that, as asinine as it is, to maybe call him Mick Overrated.

[Dan Le Batard]

The reason I don't think it's fair to do this is because what OKC does in terms of creating turnovers is unprecedented in the history of the league. They will do it to anybody. Halliburton's really good. He's not as good at offense as they are at defense.

[Jorge Sedano]

Not only that, you were talking about what Anthony Edwards is doing last series and it's like, why is he only taking so little shots? Like or 10 shots, 14 shots?

[Dan Le Batard]

Looks like so frustrating to me as analysis.

[Jorge Sedano]

OKC's the best defense we've ever seen in NBA history.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Pretty good defense on those game winners, pal. Ok, when he's 13 15, there's pretty amazing defense. And he shows you he can make shots against good defense. So what I think juju is saying is let's see it for 46 minutes. All right?

[Mike Ryan]

Right, right. And Exhibit A, Game 5, the last game played in Madison Square Garden, he took like five or six. So I mean, hey, I know OKC does that to you, but the New York Knicks done it to him too, but he won.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay, all right, I am with you. Halliburton should go 13 for 15 on all the shots he takes in all of the minutes. And then he should be the greatest player finally.

[Stugotz]

That is what SGA does, though.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Why are they playing game three? Why are you doing a watch along for it? That's just what they do. No, that's just what they do. He can't overcome it. He can't find an extra gear.

[Dan Le Batard]

If I'm being honest about why we're doing a watch along, it's because we booked marrow when we thought the Knicks were going to be in the finals.

[Dominique Foxworth]

Oh, well, no, it's because.

[Mike Ryan]

Too honest.

[Dan Le Batard]

Maury Povich, your thoughts there? Are you did. Were you. Are you old enough to appreciate the royalty that joined us today?

[Mike Ryan]

Yes, I. I am. When I saw him on the screen, I'm like, dang, that brother does not age. He looked just as good now as he looked while he was telling people, you are not the father. But I don't think we've had a more honest moment since Michael Doac when he was. Mike was like, today, Mari, you're a member of the. The Chevy Chase club, aren't you? And Mario was like, no, I'm not. He did not want to be a part of that club. So salute a bit, bruh. And Connie Chong.

[Dan Le Batard]

We did very poorly by poor Maury Povich by putting him in the Chevy Chase club and forcing that very angry denial. Marvy. Yes, I'm sorry, Marvy Povich, what do we have for poll updates?

[Mike Ryan]

Juju, Poll updates. And also lastly, I agree with you, Greg. Baseball's unwritten rules need to get over themselves. Like, oh, you can't step on the diamond without a full uniform. Sir, please. I think one of the first steps to being a better person is being able to laugh at yourself.

[Billy Corben]

Yes.

[Mike Ryan]

And baseball never laughs at itself.

[Billy Corben]

Never.

[Mike Ryan]

Get out of here.

[Billy Corben]

Yes.

[Mike Ryan]

Put it on the uniforms.

[Dan Le Batard]

Does baseball ever laugh at itself?

[Billy Corben]

Never.

[Dan Le Batard]

At Lebatard show. What do you have for us on polls?

[Mike Ryan]

Juju is chicken noodle soup. The king of the soups. 65% of the audience says, yes, it is.

[Dan Le Batard]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Stugotz]

That's a win for us matzo ball folks, too.

[Dan Le Batard]

No, no. How. What?

[Stugotz]

It's just a variation. If anything, it's an upgrade of.

[Dan Le Batard]

How was the matzo ball soup?

[Juju]

It was delightful.

[Stugotz]

I know it was delightful.

[Dan Le Batard]

Told you.

[Jorge Sedano]

How was the matzo ball itself?

[Juju]

It was the light.

[Dan Le Batard]

He didn't.

[Stugotz]

My man picked it up with his bare hands. He liked it cupping a chunk out of it. That's not how you do it.

[Mike Ryan]

Cup that thing. Also, Greg, how do you like the mini fridge? Is that okay? The mini fridge again? So you don't like minis?

[Greg Cote]

Come on.

[Dan Le Batard]

Against all minis.

[Billy Corben]

Don't like the mini fridge.

[Juju]

What if it got a bunch of beers in it?

[Billy Corben]

I'll make an exception.

[Juju]

There it is.

[Billy Corben]

The mini bar. The mini bar. I will acknowledge that.

[Mike Ryan]

A hotel room.

[Billy Corben]

Give me that mini bar.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yes.

[Billy Corben]

Yes.

[Dan Le Batard]

One time exception.

[Billy Corben]

Mini bar.

[Mike Ryan]

The poll from yesterday is Hallelujah. An awesome middle name.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's great. It's a great name.

[Mike Ryan]

51% of the audience says no. It is not. Damn.

[Juju]

Nobody like, huh?

[Dan Le Batard]

Damn.

[Mike Ryan]

Wrong audience. Yeah, yeah.

[Juju]

Wrong America.

[Mike Ryan]

Would you eat split pea soup cold? 88% of the audience says no. They will not.

[Dan Le Batard]

See, Greg, I. I think I've got this right. People are with me on. Soup needs to be warm, not hot.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah, just warm.

[Dan Le Batard]

Not cold.

[Billy Corben]

Tepid. Okay. Or no, Not.

[Dan Le Batard]

Not split pea soup. Tepid is gross. It's got to be warm. Tepid's no good.

[Mike Ryan]

Do you hate your bed? 81 of the audience says no, they don't.

[Greg Cote]

I can't believe 19 do. I've never heard somebody say that about their bed.

[Dan Le Batard]

That conversation with Sampson was shocking.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

What kind of fear is that? You approach your scared. Scared.

[Jorge Sedano]

He doesn't have fear.

[Dan Le Batard]

I want you to examine for a second the lack of self awareness in this. You approach your bed scared, you sleep, fearing that if you sleep, you're gonna wake up screaming. If you don't sleep, you go to the doorman downstairs and then you get on national broadcast and say you're fearless. That happened today.

[Jorge Sedano]

And the zippers that dream he had.

[Mike Ryan]

Was that dream he had was ass. I dreamed that it was you and Stu guys. I could see our faces but everybody else faces was blurry. I need to text Dan about this that dream out of my life and.

[Dan Le Batard]

Get it out of my life.

[Mike Ryan]

Can you. Can you call yourself a fearless person? If you're afraid of people putting their hand in your candy bag. 84% of the audience says no you can't. And the last poll is a chap dad. The best ass to tell someone to kiss. 74% of the audience says yes it is. And those are your polls.

[Dan Le Batard]

Juju. Thank you again. Join us tonight 8:00pm on YouTube broadcasting what should have been the Knicks and OKC. Watch Lou Dort and the strangling defense of OKC make Juju and others say that Halliburton is a choking choker who does not do big things in big moments. I hope that it escalates tonight to Mike telling someone to kiss his ass. Kiss my ass. Mike was crossing a line.

[Dominique Foxworth]

It's very easy for Brad. It's eye level.

[Ethan]

Tomorrow.