Postgame Show: What’d They Think, JuJu? (feat. Juju Gotti)

Summary

Episode Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – "Postgame Show: What’d They Think, JuJu?" (May 6, 2025)

In this engaging episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz delve into a robust postgame analysis centered around the Boston Celtics' recent performance. Featuring special guest Juju Gotti, a passionate Celtics fan, the trio dissects the team's strategic choices, coaching decisions, and overall outlook in the ongoing series. The conversation is enriched with audience interactions, insightful polls, and vibrant discussions on broader sports narratives.

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1. Celtics' Performance Analysis

The episode kicks off with Stugotz [00:32] addressing Juju's frustrations with the Celtics' recent game:

Stugotz: "We got Juju with us. Huge Celtics fan. Of course he's got his Celtics jersey. I don't like that. I'm not gonna lie. Juju, what did you make of last night? Are you nervous now after the Celtics missed a thousand threes and they trail the series one game to none?"

Juju [00:47] responds vehemently about the Celtics' reliance on three-point shots:

Juju: "Yeah, man, what a travesty. What an embarrassment... 112 pointer in the whole third quarter... You haven't shot a two-pointer this entire quarter. And they kept shooting and kept missing."

He criticizes the team's lack of adaptability, emphasizing the need for taking drives to the basket when three-point attempts falter.

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2. Coaching Strategy Critique

The discussion intensifies as Zaslow [01:53] questions Coach Joe Missoula's strategies:

Zaslow: "Maybe we get to the free throw line. Jalen, let's slow the game down. Get two shots at the line. Like, why aren't we changing things up?"

Greg Cody [02:12] adds depth by highlighting Missoula's defensive stance in post-game remarks:

Greg Cody: "He was remarkably defensive in his post-game press conference... He had no problem with [the shot selection]."

Juju [03:09] labels Missoula's approach as "unearned arrogance," suggesting that the coach lacks accountability:

Juju: "Joe Missoula never has any kind of accountability. He doesn't. He's too smug in these situations."

This segment underscores the tension between maintaining a successful strategy and the necessity for in-game adjustments based on performance.

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3. Dan's Perspective on Strategy Consistency

Dan [03:48] offers a counterpoint, advocating for consistency in the team's proven strategy:

Dan: "Stick with what got you here. You win on threes, you're going to win on threes. This is our Game."

However, Juju [04:19] counters by pointing out the lack of toughness and defensive prowess against teams like the Knicks:

Juju: "The entire second half we showed no toughness... It's like I, I don't like the softness we displayed."

This exchange highlights the classic debate between sticking to a successful formula versus adapting to in-game challenges.

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4. Audience Interaction and Polls

The hosts engage with their audience through live polls, adding an interactive layer to the episode. Zaslow [06:28] introduces a poll about taking $35 Spirit flights:

Zaslow: "Juju, how did the audience feel about FL a flight that only cost $35 all right."

Juju [06:34] shares surprising results, revealing that 77% of the audience hasn't taken such flights, prompting humorous exchanges about affordability and accessibility.

Another poll delves into the Warriors vs. Timberwolves series, with Juju [07:26] noting:

Juju: "Will the Warriors Timberwolves series have a chokehold within the first 120 seconds? 81 of the audience says, yes, they will."

These interactions provide a snapshot of listener sentiments and add a dynamic element to the show's analysis.

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5. Player Performances and MVP Discussion

The conversation shifts to standout player performances and the intricacies of MVP award distribution. Juju [07:38] commends Nikola Jokić:

Juju: "Props to the Joker last night. What a wonderful performance from him and the Nuggets."

Greg Cody [07:53] explains the rationale behind the staggered MVP announcement:

Greg Cody: "They like to roll out the awards one at a time so everyone gets their shine... MVP usually gets awarded in the second round."

This segment underscores the strategic timing of awards in maintaining suspense and acknowledging player achievements sequentially.

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6. Broader Discussion on Celtics' Championship

The episode culminates in a profound debate about the legitimacy of the Celtics' championship. Elliot Friedman [08:39] probes Juju's skepticism:

Elliot Friedman: "I understand you're a Celtics fan... but I do think that there's some truth that there was some fortunate luck last year and you want to see this core group get tested."

Juju [09:09] defends his stance by citing specific game moments that he believes demonstrate the team's vulnerabilities:

Juju: "Last year... Jalen Brown had to hit a buzzer beater... I see them more like, you see him like, we was lucky last year."

Dan [10:18] wraps up by challenging conspiracy theories surrounding the team's success, fostering a nuanced conversation about luck versus skill in sports championships.

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7. Conclusion

Throughout the episode, The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz masterfully balances passionate fan perspectives with analytical insights, enriched by real-time audience engagement. The hosts and guest navigate the complexities of team strategies, coaching philosophies, and player performances, offering listeners a comprehensive postgame analysis. Juju Gotti's fervent advocacy for the Celtics adds a vibrant layer to the discourse, making this episode a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking depth and dynamism in their postgame discussions.

Transcript

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[Zaslow]

All right, we got juju with us. Huge Celtics fan. Of course he's got his Celtics jersey. I don't like that. I'm not gonna lie. Juju, what did you make of last night? Are you nervous now after the Celtics missed a thousand threes and they trail the series one game to none?

[Juju]

Yeah, man, what a travesty. What an embarrassment. What an embarrassment. Like, like Amin said, once you start taking threes and they're not going in, you gotta be able to adjust. My high school coach would have took a timeout mid and said, next person to shoot a three, you're coming to sit by me. Let's get some drives to the hole. It's inexcusable. 112 pointer in the whole third quarter. I was watching the game. I was telling my girl over and over, I said, another three, another three. We haven't shot a two pointer this entire quarter. And they kept shooting and kept missing. You got Jalen Brunson on you, Jason Tatum, drive to the damn hole. You got these folks on you that I don't see nobody stopping them. If they put their head down and go to the hole. Either going to get filed or find somebody to dish it to. Don't have a good. I agree with you, bro. Zaslo rarely do I agree with you. But this is on Joe Missoula, man. You got to be able to make some adjustments. This is the playoffs. This ain't no. This ain't no. No play game. Like, so. I really hate what the Celtics are doing. Everything you guys are saying is right. It's ruining the game and it's boring basketball to watch.

[Zaslow]

Like, I mean, am I supposed to believe that? I. I really don't know if Joe Missoula is a good coach or not, but am I supposed to believe that Missoula at some point there early in the fourth quarter, doesn't tell his guys, hey, you know what? Maybe we post up Jayson Tatum. He's got a size advantage. Hey, you know what? Maybe we get to the free throw line. Jalen, let's slow the game down. Get two shots at the line. Like, why aren't we changing things up?

[Greg Cody]

Well, he was remarkably defensive in his post game press conference. He said, in any game There are about eight to 10 shots where we could have probably done better. And I said, maybe it was closer to 5 or 8, maybe it was closer to 10 this game. But he said, overall, that's not why we lost. He kept reiterating like the shot selection wasn't an issue. He had no problem with it. And so it's one of those things where Juju, as a Celtics fan, like, how do you feel he comes across as really arrogant? But like, we tend to not accept that from someone who hasn't been around for a while, right? If Popovich is arrogant, we're like, well, he's won five titles and he's won a zillion games. But we kind of look at Joe Missoula as, yo, you inherited this team two years ago that was already on the cusp. We all think the guy you took over for is the better coach. Kind of, I don't know. From the outside looking in, I would think that you would be like, yo, who are you to be so cocky about this strategy? That clearly was flawed. Right?

[Juju]

Like you said, it's unearned arrogance. IME Adoka set this team up. As you see, he. He took his talents to Houston and Houston is a competitor now. I feel like if you take Joe Missoula and put him on another team, dare I say, it wouldn't be the same situation. Like, like you said earlier in the show, Mark Dagno had the perfect response. Damn. Maybe I went to the filing too soon. That's on me. I'm the coach. I decided to do that. Joe Missoula never has any kind of accountability. He doesn't. He's too smug in these situations. Bro, relax. We messed the game, we blew it. Be. Be show some humiliation. So something other than your arrogance to these people who are coming to do their job.

[Dan]

Well, Juju, let me get your reaction to this, because if I, if I were a Celtics fan today, I would be like, three point game got us here, won a championship, got us where we are now. We had a terrible, historically bad night that's not going to happen again. We're the champions. We're not going to change our game because of a three point over a two point overtime loss. When we shoot worse than we're ever going to shoot again. Stick with what got you here. You win on threes, you're going to win on threes. This is our Game.

[Juju]

Yeah, I mean I feel you on that part, but the Knicks also out toughed us yesterday. Like the game. Winning the game. Ceiling play was a perfect example of the exact game. Ma Bridges snatched the ball from Jaylen Brown. Jaylen Brown and was like, yeah, like they would just impose their will. The entire second half we showed no toughness. It's like I, I don't like the softness we displayed in the finesse versus they were just going straight through our chest. OG Anobi salute, man.

[Zaslow]

Juju, how'd the audience take our Celtics Knicks conversation today?

[Juju]

They took it pretty good. We had a couple choice words, said salute to Sam Morrell. That definitely was some bombs in the YouTube, but overall they liked it. You know what I mean?

[Zaslow]

Did they say you guys things about me?

[Juju]

They don't like to see you guys going back and forth. They love you ass and they love Greg Cody. We don't like to see you guys argue over what's a fact or what's a news article or what's that stuff.

[Zaslow]

Sometimes journalists go after each other. Juju.

[Elliot Friedman]

You know from one update on that. By the way, Elliot Friedman, the best insider in all of hockeys has, has reported the ruling came on down. No additional punishment for Sam Bennett's collision with Anthony Stolard.

[Zaslow]

And did he say as first reported, Zaslow had a first? Props to Zaslow?

[Elliot Friedman]

No. Even worse, he opined saying that there should have been a suspension.

[Zaslow]

That's a lack of journalistic integrity, right, Greg?

[Dan]

No, I wouldn't say so. But you know, apparently when you and I go back and forth, people don't like that. So from now on, we'll be nothing but amicable.

[Zaslow]

I speak for myself.

[Juju]

Right. Also, there's been a couple other dunks, buzzer beaters, as like Dan said for the first time he saw a dunk buzzer beater. I tend to remember Dwight Howard had an alley oop dunk buzzer beater as well as I think the. The famous Jimmy V play when he run around the court. I feel like that was the fossil Emma Jama buster beater at the last second. You feel me? Also, salute to asia Wilson. The A1s dropped today. Second women's WNBA player with a shoe. And they look good. The pink guys. Go get them if you can. They sold out on Nike instantly. But yeah, man, salute to Asia Wilson and all her efforts.

[Greg Cody]

You got the plug.

[Juju]

Yeah, I mean, I'll text you a little later. I got you, bro.

[Zaslow]

Juju, how did the audience feel about FL a flight that only cost $35 all right.

[Juju]

That was actually a poll. Have you ever taken a 35 Spirit Flight? 77 of the audience said, no, they haven't. Wow. And I haven't either. You gotta. You're a brave man.

[Greg Cody]

I have sources here who claim that they have a full week of Spirit flights booked.

[Elliot Friedman]

Oh, wow.

[Zaslow]

Full week.

[Jeremy]

I'm about to take five flights on Spirit in the next eight days.

[Dan]

Wow.

[Juju]

Yep.

[Jeremy]

I'm flying from here to Orlando, Orlando to Pensacola. Pensacola back. I'm flying from here to New Orleans and New Orleans back.

[Dan]

Been good to know you, Jeremy.

[Juju]

You got.

[Jeremy]

I wasn't worried about it until I listened to this show today.

[Elliot Friedman]

Was this on the grid?

[Jeremy]

No, this is just.

[Zaslow]

Oh, the Marlins are really dishing out their money, huh?

[Jeremy]

I'm Jewish.

[Elliot Friedman]

Might be saying he was juju.

[Zaslow]

What else we got for polls today?

[Juju]

Will the Warriors Timberwolves series have a chokehold within the first 120 seconds? 81 of the audience says, yes, they will.

[Greg Cody]

That makes sense strictly in the United States.

[Juju]

Right? And also, props to the Joker last night. What a wonderful performance from him and the Nuggets. That's. I think they should announce the MVP award right when the season is over, because now I'm going to be swayed from the winner of this series.

[Zaslow]

Now, why don't they do that? I mean.

[Greg Cody]

No, they do it because for two reasons. One is they like to roll out the awards one at a time so everyone gets their shine. Two is MVP usually gets awarded in the second round, which means if Shea wins it, we're getting it in game two. If Joker wins it, we're going to get it in game three. You heard it here first, but I.

[Zaslow]

Think the reason that. What juju is saying there, you want to do it, like, at the end of the regular season, because what if one of these guys lost in the first round? And then you get the Dirk Nowitzki sad press conference.

[Elliot Friedman]

Dirk one was awkward.

[Greg Cody]

Okay, we got the Dirk sad one. Can you name a second one?

[Zaslow]

No.

[Greg Cody]

That's the point. You typically. The MVP is pretty good. You have a pretty good day.

[Elliot Friedman]

You got our ass there, juju.

[Zaslow]

Anything else?

[Juju]

Nah, man. It's a great show, man. Keep it up. So proud of y'all, man. Proud to be a part of this, man. Everybody outside listening to the show, keep your head up. Trouble don't last. Always juju.

[Elliot Friedman]

Let me ask you one thing as a Celtics fan, because you're lamenting the lack of toughness that's typically a characteristic that is assigned to champions, especially reigning champions. I. Look, I understand you're a Celtics fan. The last thing any fan wants to hear is someone who is not a fan say, I don't think you actually earned that champion when you're the last one standing. But I do think that there's some truth that there was some fortunate luck last year and you want to see this core group get tested. Is that me being a Hayden ass hater, or do you actually think that there's something to it?

[Juju]

Nah, I think it's something to it because last year, like, I was hanging on to every game. People forget Jalen Brown had to hit a. A buzzer beater, three pointer to get to overtime versus the Celtics after that, I mean, versus the, the Pacers after they had gaffed away the last minute and a half of the game. Like, I don't see them being the superpower that everybody else sees them as. I see them more like, you see him like, we was lucky last year. I'm not saying that it doesn't require a little luck, but I'm more of the idea or the thinking that you have versus us just being so dominant.

[Greg Cody]

Tell Dan. Tell Dan. Because Dan is like, they've been running the sport the last time. Like, what are you talking about? That's the only one who thinks of the Celtics as like the most dominant team of the last two years. They're good. They're good.

[Dan]

Yeah.

[Elliot Friedman]

And I think, I think fortunate's a better word than luck. Every champion needs a little bit of luck, but not, I'm telling you, you'd be hard pressed to find a champion that had a run where, oh, the best player in every round to get to the final gets injured. That just flatly doesn't happen in a sport where one star means so much. Your best player, the Jimmy Butlers, the Joel Embiids, the Halliburtons. That means a lot in a playoff series. And it can't be decontextualized. It has to go over it, especially with the team that you have questions.

[Dan]

About still pro Celtics conspiracy. What do you think? Arranged injuries, injuries, thank you, juju, that kind of thing. So forth.