The Big Suey: Down The Middle Dart

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Big Suey: Down The Middle Dart

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
• Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
• Episode: The Big Suey: Down The Middle Dart
• Release Date: April 25, 2025
• Location: Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami
• Description: Dan Le Batard and Stugotz delve into a wide array of topics spanning sports, pop culture, and local South Florida happenings, featuring segments like the daily “Local Hour” and the engaging “Big Suey.”

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1. NFL Draft Spotlight: Shedeur Sanders' Unexpected Fall

Timestamp: 02:00 - 14:00

The episode kicks off with an extensive discussion on Shedeur Sanders' surprising drop in the NFL draft rankings. The hosts dissect the reasons behind his diminished draft stock, emphasizing the role of media hype and public perception.

• David Samson reflects on the volatility surrounding Sanders, noting, “He fell out of the top first round. His DraftKings odds to go below 14 was -450” (02:06).

• Dan LeBatard questions the media's influence, asserting, “I wonder how much of Shedeur Sanders was a media hype... how much of that was a bit of a media creation” (05:09).

• Tony Kornheiser adds depth by contrasting media promotion and subsequent critique, stating, “We know that the Sanders family, Colorado, everything going on there... I do wonder how much of the hype was a bit of a media creation” (07:18).

The conversation also touches on comparisons with other athletes, exploring whether Sanders' challenges mirror those faced by stars like Johnny Manziel or Mike Evans during their transitions from college to professional sports.

• Stugotz draws parallels to previous draft surprises, suggesting that "players who fall might still end up on better teams" (05:43).

• Dan LeBatard emphasizes the rarity of such falls, highlighting Sanders' significant drop as an anomaly, “But it doesn't happen very often... I think tonight's exciting again” (05:55).

2. Concert Culture: Navigating the Live Experience

Timestamp: 14:00 - 25:00

Shifting gears, the hosts delve into the intricacies of attending live concerts, focusing on strategies to enjoy performances without missing key moments.

• Chris Cody humorously recounts his method of planning bathroom trips based on setlists, “I want to see the set list. I know I'm gonna go after this song” (14:21).

• Dan LeBatard emphasizes the importance of being present, “I want to be in the moment. I want to remember the night” (16:04).

The discussion evolves into broader reflections on concert etiquette and the balance between capturing memories and experiencing the event live.

• Stugotz introduces the concept of a "break glass in case of emergency" for those struggling to sleep during concerts, advocating for tactical approaches to enhance enjoyment (26:13).

• David Samson shares personal anecdotes about managing sleep and entertainment, highlighting how individual habits influence content consumption and event participation (27:16).

3. NBA Playoffs Analysis: Team Strategies and Player Performances

Timestamp: 25:00 - 42:00

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting the NBA playoffs, focusing on team dynamics, player performances, and strategic decisions.

• Dan LeBatard and Tony Kornheiser analyze the Minnesota Timberwolves' recent trade of Karl Anthony Towns, debating its impact on the team's championship aspirations.

  • David Samson provides insider insights, “The Minnesota Timberwolves trading Karl Anthony Towns was in an effort... to get them closer to winning a championship” (40:06).

• Stugotz critiques front office management strategies, comparing franchise decisions in Milwaukee and Denver to those in New York, and questioning the sustainability of their championship runs (42:06).

The hosts also discuss specific game moments and player performances, such as the controversial handling of final seconds in Pistons vs. Knicks game and the implementation of the Trent Tucker rule.

• Tony Kornheiser reminisces about historical NBA moments, linking them to current gameplay mechanics, “Trent Tucker changed NBA history... Now it’s point three” (34:38).

• David Samson expresses his fandom frustrations, “If you're the second, sometimes third option on an offense... it’s tough” (38:39).

4. Personal Anecdotes and Lighthearted Banter

Timestamp: 25:00 - 43:04

Interspersed throughout the episode are personal stories and humorous exchanges that showcase the hosts' camaraderie and individual personalities.

• Chris Cody shares a funny moment about needing to pee during a game, “It's 40 minutes later and I have to pee again” (42:55).

• Dan LeBatard engages in playful interactions, encouraging others to share their experiences, “I can't tell. Is it a documentary or... It's a show” (27:16).

These segments provide a balanced contrast to the more intense discussions, adding depth and relatability to the podcast.

5. Concluding Remarks and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: 42:00 - 43:04

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the topics discussed, reiterating key points about team strategies in the NBA and personal preferences in content consumption.

• David Samson underscores the importance of time management in content consumption, linking it back to his earlier discussions on sleep and entertainment (31:27).

• Stugotz appreciates the empathetic approach to recommending content based on individual schedules, “It’s like one of the most empathetic things I’ve ever heard you do, David” (31:38).

The episode closes with a humorous exchange about favorite shows and the challenges of maintaining fandom amid team changes and performance fluctuations.

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Notable Quotes:

• Dan LeBatard (05:09): “I wonder how much of Shedeur Sanders was a media hype... how much of that was a bit of a media creation.”

• Tony Kornheiser (07:18): “There was a lot of stuff on him and his interviews with teams, a lot of leaks. It felt like, oh, Shadour is being very braggadocious... a lot of anti Shadour stuff going into the draft.”

• Chris Cody (14:21): “I like to plan out my bathroom trips. If I'm gonna go to the bathroom, I gotta go during a song I don't care about.”

• David Samson (31:27): “I think that's one of the most empathetic things I've ever heard you do, David.”

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Conclusion: In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, the hosts provide a multifaceted exploration of current sports narratives, particularly focusing on NFL draft dynamics and NBA playoff strategies. Their engaging discussions are enriched with personal anecdotes and insightful critiques of media influence and team management. Whether dissecting Shedeur Sanders' draft prospects or navigating the live concert experience, Dan, Stugotz, and their co-hosts offer listeners a comprehensive and entertaining deep dive into the intersecting worlds of sports and pop culture.

Transcript

[Mike Ryan]

Hey, folks, it's Mike Ryan. And if you're watching our show, you probably know and your boy has undergone a little bit of a body transformation. And I gotta tell you, Peloton has helped me on my fitness journey. It got the ball rolling for me because I watch my wife on the Peloton. She takes all these great classes. She has her favorite instructors. I listen to the music, I'm a big music guy. Gets me fired up. Makes me want to take part in this fitness phenomenon known as Peloton. Peloton offers a variety of challenging classes from four week strength building classes to running, cycling and everything in between. Peloton will help you achieve your goals and maybe you'll have some fun along the way. I know I have. It's backed by thousands of members whose lives have been changed. Be part of that group. Telling you I'm better for it. Have it in my office. Sometimes I can put on the baseball game. Sometimes I can put on a soccer match. Some other times I'm totally locked in on an emo playlist. Find your push, find your power with Peloton at 1peloton.com.

[Stugotz]

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[Dan LeBatard]

Welcome to the Big Sui presented by DraftKings.

[Stugotz]

Why are you listening to this show?

[David Samson]

The podcast that seems very similar to.

[Stugotz]

The other Dan LeBatard podcast.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm sorry, I'm not gonna apologize for that.

[Stugotz]

In fact, the only difference seems to be this imaging.

[Dan LeBatard]

I have been tempted in restaurants just.

[Stugotz]

Walking past tables to grab somebody's fries that if they're just there.

[Dan LeBatard]

That hasn't happened to you guys.

[Stugotz]

I've done it. And now here's the marching man to.

[Dan LeBatard]

Nowhere Fat Face and the habitual liar.

[Chris Cody]

This episode is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings. The Crown is yours.

[David Samson]

Guys, I'd like to take you inside someone's living room because when you have parties for for an event and this happens whether it's the Academy Awards, whether it's a draft party, whether it's a political party, this happens every night of an election. Everybody's having a party and it either becomes A celebration where people are dancing to Pearl Jam or it becomes a morgue where everyone just leaves because there's total despondency. I was brought in my head last night into the home of Shadore Sanders who did not show up in Green Bay. Didn't want to go. Sort of the anti cam Ward who loved being in Green Bay, was super excited to be in Green Bay. I don't like Ken Moore anymore for that. Hates Green Bay. But Shador Sanders, nothing. And he knew it was coming. He had to have. He fell out of the top first round. His draft kings odds to go below 14 was -450.

[Dan LeBatard]

There did. There did feel like there was a momentum building to hold on. This may not go so well for him. I mean heck, when we were talking to Diana yesterday, she made it sound like it was totally possible that he slips to the.

[Stugotz]

She made it sound probable in a sense because when we brought up Pittsburgh and it was sort of like this tepid response of well maybe and that that would be probably the highest place that that shoulder could go.

[David Samson]

So. So my query is do you cancel.

[Dan LeBatard]

The party before the party starts?

[David Samson]

Do you cancel the party before the draft starts? You're getting all these people. If you know you're trying to win best actor and you know you're losing, you're just happy to be nominated, you're going to have a full party.

[Chris Cody]

It makes it more sad though if he's just alone in his house on a couch that's like regardless, they're going to want a shot of him. So you might as well have it look like festive.

[Dan LeBatard]

I would say, I would say a little bit of it depends on who you are inviting to your party. If your party is all of your family and closest friends. No, you'd like to be around the people that care about you and you care about if things don't go well, maybe you want to be around people who you love. But if it's a whole sponsors that kind of deal, you may want to pull the plug on that because you're.

[David Samson]

Concerned that you won't react well. Maybe because they're going to keep going to you and take a photo of you as one pick gets called, then another pick gets called and you're still sitting there. That's one of the great visuals of any draft is players who go. That's why players often don't want to go to the draft.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, I think that's why should I want to go to imagine him still sitting there because you know the television cameras Would have loved nothing more than. Let's keep showing Chedeur every pick that is not.

[Chris Cody]

I feel like we have some examples of that quarterback sometimes turns out to be good. A guy that sits. Aaron Rodgers did it. Lamar Jackson sat way longer than we thought.

[Dan LeBatard]

This burger didn't sit forever, but he was sitting for a little longer, I think, than they thought.

[Chris Cody]

So I feel like if I'm sure, I'm like, okay, this happens. Like there's. It happens with someone every other year where they. You think they might go mid first round, they go later, and it turns out, okay, you end up on a better team a lot of times.

[Dan LeBatard]

But it doesn't happen very often. Where a guy who had the hype that shoulder Sanders did. It wasn't that long ago in the college football season, this past season where it was a real thought that number one and two in the draft is Shadur Sanders and Travis Hunter and. And. And for him to fall totally out of the first round. But by the way, for intrigue and dramatic purposes, I like it because, man, tonight. Tonight's exciting again. Like, I thought it was the biggest story going to draft yesterday. Where is Shadur gonna go? And now we get the same story going into tonight. Like, now tonight is super interesting.

[Chris Cody]

I want to blame somebody, though. Who do I blame for this Shedeur thing?

[David Samson]

Dion. Okay, Total hyping of a player.

[Chris Cody]

What about the media?

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, I'm. I'm not gonna blame the media. I'm part of the media. I'll go blame media. All right. But I do wonder how much of shadow Sanders was. Media hype. We know that the Sanders family, Colorado, everything going on there. She dur is very, you know, braggadocious. Major, major ratings numbers, clicks, all that stuff during the college football season. I do wonder how much of the hype around Shedur going into the draft, people thinking how great he is. I do wonder how much of that was a bit of a media creation.

[David Samson]

There's hype that happens every single year. And I'm curious, we're actually often in charge of hype because you want to hype your own players. You want to hype the people who you're not taking. So there's no hype around the people who you actually want to take. So there's a lot of funny business that goes on around hyping.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think when you talk about media creation of an athlete. Right. I think there's also media cratering of same athlete where you have the media going. Actually, you know what? Even though he was pretty special at Colorado Albeit against teams that were probably not as good as other teams in the sec, in the Big Ten. And then you see him at the pro day and you're like, wow, he pats the ball a lot like that. That window's not going to be there in the NFL, like, the same way it is in college or how many guys do we see that are excellent at one level and then they get to the next level and it's like, oof, wait, like, this is. This guy was good in college, but. But in the pros, he's not that guy.

[Dan LeBatard]

So how did the media crater him then?

[Tony Kornheiser]

It just feels like now, going towards the draft, there was a lot of stuff on him and his interviews with. With teams, a lot of leaks. It felt like, oh, Shadour is being very braggadocious and being very this and being very that. It just felt like there was a lot of, like, anti Shadour stuff going into the draft in the same way that during the season they were kind of propping him up.

[Stugotz]

I just don't know how much that has to do with him falling versus it's a warning that, hey, he's going to fall, right? Like, I don't know if the media influence is there, like, if public perception, any of that makes a difference, as much as it's someone like Diana or anybody else being, becoming informed and saying, hey, these teams are telling me this guy is going to fall. This is how they feel. And now I'm just communicating to the viewer that, hey, when you show up and you expect this guy whose number was just retired to be drafted day one, that's not going to happen for sure.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But that's closer to the draft. It felt like, like after the super bowl, there was like, all right, there's a lot of negative momentum in the Sanders camp, where it's like, things are coming out. His pro day, he's not going to throw here.

[Stugotz]

He's not going to be timing that type of stuff.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And on top of that, the Travis Hunter praise, it's like, is he going to play both sides? He says if he doesn't play both sides, he's not going to play. Like, there was just a lot of stuff that was anti Colorado, both athletes that I thought was a little weird.

[David Samson]

We tend to ignore that. And I think teams, you don't paying a lot of attention to that. That anonymous assistant coach who talked about how bad Shador was, that's kind of bad. The interview was, it doesn't. It doesn't impact his draft status. Teams don't Pay attention to that at all.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But perception though, Dave. Perception.

[David Samson]

Not in the draft room for sure.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But public perception right now everybody starts thinking, oh wait, is he kind of an asshole like we thought that he was, you know this guy? Well, he also was flexing a $75,000 watch that students said during the game. But whatever.

[David Samson]

Is that, is that a flex automatic when you're Deion Sanders child?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[David Samson]

To flex a 75K watch.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. I, I don't think I know there's not another sport where the team only cares about what can help them win. Like the NFL. I feel like is that sport. All the other stuff don't care. Can he help us win? And certainly sh is not a bad character guy. No trouble off the field. If anything, I think he's high character. Obviously super arrogant, but if anything I think he's high character because I know for me if Deion Sanders were my father, you grow up that way. I don't know that I'm working as hard as she dared to get to this point. So I think it's a sign of high character. But I, that's why I believe that it's a little bit, maybe it was a little bit of a media creation how good we thought he was because I don't think NFL teams are drawn away from. Oh, he was very arrogant. You know, if he could help us win at the most important position in.

[David Samson]

All of pro sports, the ability for a quarterback to translate. We talked about. Tony said college players who don't end up being good pros. That's every sport. There's, there's a ton of college basketball players who are fun to watch during March and they're terrific. They can even get to a championship and they can't play pro basketball. Baseball, obviously that's the case. Football, of course there's great football. You're like, wow, that quarterback. I was thinking about the number one. If we had to do a top five of the greatest college players who never were able to quite make it. The first guy I think of is Doug Fluty and I don't know if there's a view him as having had a good, absolutely good career.

[Stugotz]

Good.

[Dan LeBatard]

But there are plenty like Heisman winning quarterbacks who amount to nothing.

[Stugotz]

Well, ironically the, the comparison that I just started thinking about as you were mentioning all of this and we're talking about Travis Hunter and some of the media hype around the quarterback. Different character thing because I agree with you. I think Shadur might be cocky, confident. Not like definitely cocky, but not a bad no the idea of he might be that, but that doesn't make him a, a bad guy or an inconsistent character to show up in a locker room. But how dissimilar is this from Johnny Manziel and Mike Evans at Texas A and M where you had this generational receiver who when we're watching it in college, we're giving both, both guys the credit and saying you have this electric quarterback who's running around and doing all these things. You have this singular wide receiver who we think is great. Not sure who give the credit to. But when it came down to the draft, Johnny, I think it's a fair question. Slipped a little bit, ended up being taken by Cleveland, Mike Evans taken in the top 10. A generational receiver has been one of those guys with a thousand yards for like 10 straight years. He's a Hall of Famer. And now Travis Hunter at the top of this draft, is this the same thing of the, the teams doing the scouting and realizing more of this was Travis Hunter than was Shad Sanders?

[David Samson]

And I think it's a question that gets answered over the course of careers. And so we're going to watch what happens with Shador. He'll go this today and the question is when he goes, what a team does is they give up their fifth year option when you don't get taken in the first round. So I don't think he'll get taken early in the second round. There was a thought that the Browns may take him right out of the gate, but why not trade up and get the fifth year out of him? It makes no sense to me to take him, to take a quarterback like Sanders who may not play well.

[Dan LeBatard]

You're. You're weighing the value of having him under contract for a fifth year instead of just four years versus keeping whatever draft capital you would have had to give up to move back in the first.

[David Samson]

Right? And to me, a year of service is everything. And keeping a guy an extra year. We do calculations like that in baseball. How to keep a player an extra year of service time before free agency. I have to assume it's part of the calculus for a GM to make in football because that fifth year, it's such an interesting rule, but man, that is a huge thing for a player.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's huge too when you can get everybody under the cap space and you have that quarterback that can extend the window of guys you have to win now. Right. Like we've seen it Brock Purdy, we've seen Russell Wills. Like we've seen these guys be great early Jalen hurts early on before they gave him that massive contract. But it's like if you have that guy locked in, you could take a chance on other things in the draft. Will the Cleveland Browns take him right out of the gate tonight? That's the question. Like, what if he slides out of the second round?

[Stugotz]

By the way, he might not be the first quarterback taken here like we were when we were talking to Diana yesterday. She was talking about the momentum for Tyler Shuck to potentially even be a first round pick. So there are, there are. And there's, you know, Jaylen Milrose out there as well. That has all of the measurables that would make you think, hey, if. If we're willing to take a project, why not take him? So.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And the opposite hype on Milroe.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Like everybody was down on melro the season and then all of a sudden it's like, oh wait, this guy's incredible.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

Because he has all of those measurables that everybody freaks out with at a combine. So it's a. It's a different type of thing.

[Chris Cody]

Chris, quick update. I peed during the break.

[David Samson]

Did you really?

[Chris Cody]

I mean, it wasn't a full.

[Dan LeBatard]

Good boy.

[David Samson]

Doesn't matter.

[Chris Cody]

I think I did enough though that get an eighth? Yeah, I think I got an eighth.

[Dan LeBatard]

You're a good boy.

[Chris Cody]

Thank you. Go pee pee.

[David Samson]

God, the body's interesting, isn't it?

[Chris Cody]

Is.

[David Samson]

You can get it all done. All taken care of.

[Chris Cody]

I failed the test.

[Dan LeBatard]

Now what are you like at concerts like tomorrow, David? Because I get worried about drinking too much and then I got to go to the bathroom during the show. I don't want to miss the show.

[David Samson]

Yeah, I'm not a. That won't happen.

[Chris Cody]

They do a different set every time. I'm a big set list guy. I like to plan out my bathroom trips. If I. If I'm going to a concert where the set list is the same every night, I prefer that I want to see the set list. I know I'm gonna go after this song. I'm going to the bathroom. I gotta. I got a two song bridge here where it's two bad songs. I don't care about going to go to the bathroom there. That's how I play.

[David Samson]

So Pearl Jam is not quite like that in terms of. There are not that I'm aware of like five or six packs where you can know. Bruce does this where you know you're about to get a six pack and you can know where you can go to the bathroom in that. Should you Want to go. But to me, the juice is not worth the squeeze to go to the bathroom during a concert. I'm with you only because it's such a schlep, no matter the size of the venue. Last night you were looking at 5 minutes door too, at least.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, my God, that's so easy. Yeah. What a great venue. That place is great. Great venue. Super convenient. Really fun.

[David Samson]

Yeah, because it's in Broward.

[Chris Cody]

There is nothing worse than you're in the bathroom and a song you're really looking forward to hearing is like. Or you're in line and you're like two away from getting a beer, and it's like you're running out of the line. All of a sudden you're going back for some song. It's just like that. I get your point there. There is nothing worse than missing a song that you really wanted to hear.

[David Samson]

So therefore, if I don't want that to happen, I'm not going to leave the show. Because if you don't know exactly the set list, then you have no way of knowing what song is next. If it's all a surprise, therefore, it can't be worth it to me. So I'm going to start the concert with an extra drink, and I'm going to then nurse it throughout the concert. Maybe work in something that can last a few hours as a possibility instead of a drink.

[Dan LeBatard]

I see what you're saying.

[David Samson]

So what you're doing is you are making the plan. Because I don't want to be in that spot of missing my song. Because you never get it back.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yep. Yep. And I don't get hammered at shows either, because I. I want to be in the moment. I want to remember the night, you know?

[Chris Cody]

So you're talking about meth, right?

[David Samson]

No. Do you take video?

[Dan LeBatard]

Good question. I'll take a couple of pictures right when the show starts. Then the phone goes away.

[Chris Cody]

Selfie with the kid.

[Dan LeBatard]

And yes, of course, to create the memory. And then the phone goes away. I hate the recording. There were people in front of us last night. I think. I think a guy in row in front of us, a few seats down, I think he recorded the whole show.

[Chris Cody]

Oh, and he will do nothing with that. Like, ever watch those videos? They're terrible.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. Like, is he sitting around one day, he says, hey, hon, let's watch the video I took on my phone from last year at Pearl Jam.

[Chris Cody]

Like, let's relive this. We'll put it on the TV. This grainy ass.

[Stugotz]

Some people put that on YouTube. And then there end up being people like me that never get to see someone in concert. And I'm watching some shit, some dude shitty video of a 2 hour and 45 minute concert where I can't hear half the song. There's 770 total views.

[David Samson]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

He's here for me.

[David Samson]

Critically important to understand that there's always going to be someone to serve me. That is my view that if I need to see something again, I'll search it on YouTube and it'll be there. I don't need to do the recording and not be in the moment because I'm going to have an opportunity to watch a moment from that concert somewhere else.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'll tell you.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm learning right now.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think Dave and I are. Have a good time tomorrow. I think we're on the same page with a lot of this.

[David Samson]

I don't know that we're sitting together.

[Dan LeBatard]

Okay.

[David Samson]

But if we are. Yeah, it could be fun.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[David Samson]

Though I'm. I'm anxious to be around Dan. I've been to a concert with Dan.

[Chris Cody]

Like a lot of neck movement, I'm telling you. So.

[David Samson]

So. And he's tall. He's tall and he does it. Makes it tough. But the good news is it is Valerie's birthday weekend.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[David Samson]

So the thought is he's on his best behavior, so I'm less worried about how he's going to be. I don't know if that manifested itself last night, but the weekend starts today.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, that's true. I mean, you know, it's Friday.

[David Samson]

But I was his Friday.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. Right, right, right. No, I thought. I thought he was. I didn't know that there's a scenario where he wouldn't be best behavior. I've been out with Dan before. Not a ton. But I didn't know the scenario where he's not best behavior.

[David Samson]

Oh, there could be sleeping. There could be storming out. There could be. I'm not interested in this anymore.

[Stugotz]

Sleeping.

[Chris Cody]

I love the idea of Dan just like listen.

[David Samson]

That's what the next thing is. I don't know if you've all done this, but this is a Tuesday for me in class. I was the king. I'm going to give you. For those of you just listening what.

[Chris Cody]

I'm doing, sleep like I couldn't. Oh.

[David Samson]

I am telling you that I was able to sleep in class with my pen moving so the professor would have the view that I was not sleeping. So it's, you know, if your eyes are closed.

[Chris Cody]

David, he's not really falling for it.

[David Samson]

Oh. But I was in a great.

[Chris Cody]

If I'm looking at you right now, I think you're sleeping. Even if your pen's moving. That's right, because your eyes are closed. I love how you're like, I pulled one over on him.

[Stugotz]

His eyes are closed. He's not looking at anything. It's really amazing, the fact that he just like, he's not even looking.

[Mike Ryan]

Hey, folks, it's Mike Ryan. And if you're watching our show, you probably know and your boy has undergone a little bit of a body transformation. And I gotta tell you, Peloton has helped me on my fitness journey. It got the ball rolling for me because I watch my wife on the peloton. She takes all these great classes. She has her favorite instructors. I listen to the music, I'm a big music guy. Gets me fired up. Makes me want to take part in this fitness phenomenon known as Peloton. Peloton offers a variety of challenging classes, from four week strength building classes to running, cycling, and everything in between. Peloton will help you achieve your goals and maybe you'll have some fun along the way. I know I have. It's backed by thousands of members whose lives have been changed. Be part of that group, telling you I'm better for it. Have it in my office. Sometimes I can put on the baseball game. Sometimes I can put on a soccer match. Some other times I'm totally locked in on an emo playlist. Find your push, find your power with [e-mail]. hey, you in the audience, it's Mike. You've been a fan of this show, hopefully for a long time, and you know how much Miller Lite means to me. This partnership, it's real. It's documented. For almost 20 years, Miller Lite has been a partner of the Dan LeBatard show with Stu Gotz. And now Miller Lite is celebrating its 50th anniversary. I've had so many great moments with Miller Lite. So many great activations, so many great events presented by Miller Lite. A great partner. Cheers to them. Cheers to 50 incredible years. And for you at home, you know that Miller time always means a good time. From game night to parties with friends. Friends or a special anniversary, celebrating important occasions means more moments with the coolest people in your life. Cheers to 50 years of Miller Light, the great tasting light beer. For people who Love beer. Since 1975, now's a perfect time to celebrate legendary stories with friends, family and a great tasting light beer. It's Miller time. Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Chris Cody]

Folks. The NBA 82 game grind is done. And now the real fun begins. The NBA playoffs are here and it's time for all the high stakes drama, clutch moments and jaw dropping plays. If you're looking to make the playoffs Even more exciting, DraftKings sportsbook has you covered as an official sports betting partner of the NBA. Make it a playoff run. To remember with DraftKings. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use Code Dan. That's Code Dan for new customers to get $200 in bonus bets. When you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings, the crown is yours.

[Dan LeBatard]

Gambling problem.

[Chris Cody]

Call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text hopeny467-369 in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Kansas, 21 and over. Agent eligibility varies by jurisdiction.

[David Samson]

Void.

[Chris Cody]

In Ontario, new customers only. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG CO Audio Don Levatar Taytas Stugats Taytas.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats. Somebody say look.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, What?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Don't look now.

[Chris Cody]

Tony, hit it.

[David Samson]

Oh.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's time for a new game. Don't look now.

[Chris Cody]

Don't look now. Presented by Smirnoff, the world's number one vodka. Please drink responsibly.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Boys. Don't look now. Obviously. We had the NFL draft last night. Don't look now. Second round. I've been doing a little bit of inventory, investigative work. Zaza, are you looking?

[Chris Cody]

You've been looking ahead.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm looking at you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, don't look at me. The whole point is don't look. I know Dave's not looking.

[Dan LeBatard]

My eyes are closed.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Nobody look.

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, can somebody explain? I'm new here. Can somebody explain?

[Chris Cody]

I tell you, look now.

[Dan LeBatard]

All right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do not look. All right, Roy, not looking. Okay, thank you, Pre. Don't look now. I was doing some investigative work.

[Chris Cody]

You're looking ahead.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It seems like I was looking ahead, but I'm not looking now. Which is the Whole point, you know. Who picks 37th in the second round? 37th pick, which is like the fifth or sixth pick of the second round.

[Chris Cody]

37Th in the second.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's 37th, but the second round overall, the Las Vegas Raiders. Could we see them pair? Shedur Sanders with Ashton Genty. Wow, I love that juicy meatball right there.

[Stugotz]

Don't look.

[Chris Cody]

But Zaz, you love that fit.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, Shedeur like there was for a while, especially during this football season, there seems to be like this romance between the Raiders and Shader Sanders. And then it just kind of went I, I poof. I don't know. It's not there anymore. So I think Shoulder will be a fantastic film.

[Chris Cody]

How do you feel about giving a take with your eyes closed because you look uncomfortable doing it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, yeah, like I'm very awake, you know, so.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But you're a pros pro, though.

[Dan LeBatard]

Like, I'm holding my eyes closed. They want to open because I'm awake. I'm, I'm jacked up.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's like you're at Chris Cody's house. Don't look now. Could Jackson Dart be special?

[Chris Cody]

This is what it's like in my house. Now imagine I'm walking into the room with you guys like, hey, what's up?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hey, Chris.

[David Samson]

Too scary. I'm not looking.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Jackson Dart, second quarterback taken, gets to sit behind Russell Wilson. And James Winston gets to get the best of both worlds. Conservative and very liberal with the football. I think it'd be a good little spot. I mean, Jameson liberal. I mean, we've got centrist, maybe down the middle.

[Chris Cody]

Jackson Dart.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Maybe Jackson Dart can be the centrist. But we've got Jameis Winston, who's very liberal with the football, loves to give it to the other team. We've got Russell Wilson, who tries to play conservative and keep it away from the other team. And Jackson Dart be somewhere in the middle.

[Chris Cody]

All right, we should stop this. Zaz is going to fall asleep.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Zaz, are you looking?

[Dan LeBatard]

No, my eyes are closed.

[David Samson]

It's like in the movie when the kid has to keep her eyes closed or his eyes closed, but you can see them moving underneath the eyelids. And I'm like, how could they not cut that?

[Chris Cody]

All right, you guys can open your eyes now. Back to show God.

[Stugotz]

Look.

[David Samson]

Now I'm looking.

[Dan LeBatard]

Okay.

[David Samson]

How many people use that eye mask?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Just me.

[David Samson]

So that is your personal eye mask? Yeah. Is that from Sheets and Giggles by chance?

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes.

[David Samson]

Have the same one?

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, you do.

[Chris Cody]

My wife does this thing and I don't know why she doesn't start the night with it. My wife goes to bed. I have a treated me. My wife goes to bed before me. So around 10:30, 11, she goes to bed. I'm usually 11, 45, 12. So she goes to bed around 11:30, half hour after she's been in there, just before I go to bed, she always emerges from the room, walks to the freezer of our kitchen, opens the freezer, pulls out a little baggie, and she has an eye mask in that. She likes a cold, compressy eye mask. I don't know why she doesn't start the night with it. She always comes out a half hour after she's gone to bed. Kind of like, can't sleep, need the eye mask. Like, just get the eye mask from the go and then you might be better. But do you guys. Is this a thing with anybody? Have you guys ever heard of the cold eye mask when you sleep?

[David Samson]

It's to help with the bags, it's to help with the crow's feet. It's to help.

[Chris Cody]

She does it more just to help her sleep, but I think it just feels nice. I mean, I think that's a side effect of it. She hasn't said to me, this is why I'm doing that. But it's just, I'm always just like, why don't you do it from the start? It's weird you're going to the freezer for an eye mask.

[Stugotz]

It's just maybe you don't do it from the start because it's like a nice thing to be able to rely on if you can't sleep. Ooh, here's a second option that I can go out and change my routine. I can go do this thing that helps soothe me and get to sleep, rather than if I start the night with this thing that's supposed to help soothe me, then what? Then what happens? If I can't fall asleep, then I'm up all night.

[David Samson]

If you already know you've got the backup plan, then your brain already says, all right, do the backup.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, but some nights maybe you could just fall asleep. You're exhausted. It's. You're. You're able to go to bed, but this is just a break glass in case of emergency type of.

[Chris Cody]

Does anyone in this room. Do you guys have any back? Like when you can't sleep and you've been rolling around for a half hour, what's your go to? I'm going to.

[Stugotz]

I can always.

[Chris Cody]

Do you have any?

[David Samson]

Yeah, I go to watch a movie.

[Chris Cody]

Really? So you stop trying to sleep.

[David Samson]

That's I only get, as you know, at most a couple hours a night. And so I'm watching content and that is my prime time. I love the nighttime with the lights on. I love watching stuff. I watched a whole series the other night that I just reviewed on Nothing personal this morning. North of north. Have you ever heard of it?

[Dan LeBatard]

No.

[Stugotz]

No.

[David Samson]

So I get to watch so much more stuff than most people because I have so many more hours in the day. It's an eight episode arc, 30 minutes an episode. It's about a place that's way north.

[Dan LeBatard]

I saw a preview for this recently of North.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Norther than that.

[David Samson]

It's way. It's more north than the most north we've ever been.

[Dan LeBatard]

I can't tell. Is it a documentary or.

[David Samson]

No, it's an actual sitcom.

[Dan LeBatard]

Okay.

[David Samson]

It's a show about. And I'm going to. And I'm going to do this wrong and you're going to have to just tell me. It's the Inuits in. Which Inuits in. In you in. It's the Inuits. Inuits.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's like people who live in. Like you're like.

[Chris Cody]

You keep saying it.

[David Samson]

You did fine.

[Dan LeBatard]

It live in the super cold, like. Right.

[David Samson]

And super dark.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[David Samson]

A lot of months. Super light. So there's a place.

[Chris Cody]

I love that. Oh, it's dark.

[David Samson]

Well. Oh, not the whole year. You understand? The way it works is that there's six months where it's totally dark.

[Chris Cody]

No, I know. I was doing a callback to me.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You should go live there on the light time. Because it's light the entire day.

[Chris Cody]

Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Like there's no night time.

[David Samson]

I did go up to the Arctic Circle a little. A little. Look at me, Louie. But I will tell you, I went to a midnight Little League game.

[Dan LeBatard]

Wow.

[David Samson]

And it was light outside.

[Stugotz]

Cool.

[David Samson]

So kids, their schedule. There's no nighttime. And so what they.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, but you say that like as if that means they don't get tired.

[David Samson]

No, no. So the way it works is there's no set time that the kids sleep because it's daytime. So their. Their rhythms are off anyway.

[Dan LeBatard]

So they just tell their team, hey, for the next couple of weeks, bedtime.

[David Samson]

Is 10am no, but there' bedtime. So I. I spoke to the kids about this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They don't sleep. What are you not getting? They don't sleep for six months.

[Stugotz]

There's school every day of the week.

[Dan LeBatard]

There has to be bed.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[David Samson]

This is. This is off from school. This is.

[Stugotz]

So this is the summertime. And just. People just don't It's a.

[Mike Ryan]

Just chaos.

[Stugotz]

No routine anywhere. Just everybody's up at all times of.

[David Samson]

The day, but everything's open.

[Stugotz]

It's amazing.

[David Samson]

All day long.

[Chris Cody]

Were you scouting Brendan Fraser?

[Stugotz]

Where was this?

[David Samson]

This is above the Arctic Circle in Alaska. It's north. It is north.

[Stugotz]

North or north.

[David Samson]

And that time of year, in the summer, there's no sunset and there's really no sunrise. It never goes below the horizon. And I was very interested. I was working with the Marlins at the time, and I thought it'd be cool to watch a Little League game because there's one field, but it's operational. There's games all the time.

[Dan LeBatard]

So they could fit in all the games.

[David Samson]

And so you fit in because there's a lot of people up there, believe it or not, and they're all playing games and they're doing stuff, and they play midnight games. There's like a 3am game, but it's not the real. So it's not 3am to them. Here's the downside. During the winter, there's no games at all. You can't. There's no lights on the field, and.

[Dan LeBatard]

It'S dark all the time.

[David Samson]

It's dark all the time.

[Dan LeBatard]

So that means they sleep all day long.

[David Samson]

So it's a major way.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Now you get it.

[Dan LeBatard]

No one's awake for six months.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You get it.

[David Samson]

So it's a major issue. You've got high rates of suicide. You've got high rates of depression. It is a weird. It's a. It's a major issue with. When you. When your body doesn't have the rhythm of darkness. Wow.

[Dan LeBatard]

Is this show funny? I've seen a preview for it. It looks funny.

[David Samson]

I was told it was Schitt's Creek. It's not. I love Schitt's Creek. I enjoyed the season. It's worth four hours if you have an extra four hours. Which is why, for me, I love having all the extra time because I can watch all this stuff. But you, if you give me. Do you sleep eight a night?

[Dan LeBatard]

More like six.

[David Samson]

Oh, you got a shot. It may take a couple of weeks to get it, but there are people I know sleep eight strong every night. You'll never watch the show. There's just not the capability of having enough time to do it. I try to convince people when I'm giving reviews of what they should watch and what they shouldn't based on their own sleeping habits. I can't do it based on mine because then I would suggest almost everything because I have time for Bad content.

[Stugotz]

So you have certain shows that you recommend to eight hour sleepers, certain shows to seven hour sleepers, certain hours.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's a finite amount of time during the day. So this is worth your time.

[Stugotz]

You have a couple of extra hours than the person who gets the right amount of sleep. And so in those couple of extra hours, here's something you should waste your time with.

[David Samson]

It's not wasting, but.

[Stugotz]

Well, it's not wasting your time because you have enough of it. That's is what you're saying is you're someone that has 18 hours in a day as opposed to someone else who might have 20 hours in a day or 16 hours in a day. And in turn, I'm going to adjust my recommendation based off how much time I think you have.

[David Samson]

You say that like if a strange.

[Stugotz]

No, I think it's a good thing.

[David Samson]

But that's exact.

[Stugotz]

I think it's great. It's a perfect scale.

[David Samson]

So when I know someone who sleeps like I do, who has 22 hours in a day, I'm going to give them a different set. I think that's great content to watch.

[Dan LeBatard]

Is worth your time as opposed to this show.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, I think that's a great way of doing it where you're thinking of. Of wasting people's time. Because the worst thing is when someone has like highly recommended a show because then I'm not someone. Again, we talked about the pleaser thing last hour. But if someone's told me like this is great and you, I know you, you'll. I'm certainly never going to just watch one episode and give it up. I'm going to watch the season that they've told me to watch here and sometimes that'll feel like a waste of time. So if you have a good barometer of I know the amount of time you have in a day. And so I'm going to cut it off here. I think that's like one of the most empathetic things I've ever heard you do, David.

[David Samson]

So the time thing, Tony, is interesting to me because last night's end of the Pistons Knicks game, it didn't bother me at all because I got plenty of time. You want to take forever to get to get the last tenth of a second.

[Dan LeBatard]

You love the reviews, no problem. You love the challenges. You love the referees staring into the camera giving their full explanation while everyone else is annoyed.

[David Samson]

I got time.

[Dan LeBatard]

You're good with it. Okay.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The games ended like mid past midnight last night because we had two games going on the Memphis and Oklahoma City game basically went to the buzzer.

[Dan LeBatard]

And then how did that game turn out to be good? I mean I was able to watch the whole fourth quarter. No, I understand but remember we were annoyed yesterday, right? Because that game was at was TNT instead of the great game Nuggets Clippers being on NBA tv. Well that game was horrorful and grizzly Thunder at least had juice to it in the second half.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Makes you think, huh? Would the NBA know the one that.

[David Samson]

It would be 1001783 they knew that there'd be a blowout.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, that's what I'm saying.

[David Samson]

No, I listen, I hear you. But that type of conspiracy I'm all. I'm all for it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, there was conspiracy laden situations in the Pistons Knicks game because did you.

[Stugotz]

See how the last.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Last point five seconds was handled? Dave, did you see that?

[David Samson]

I. Of course I saw it. I've got time.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What's the rule? I know you know basketball. What's the rule?

[Dan LeBatard]

What's your Knicks fandom like these days?

[David Samson]

I just want. My Knicks fandom is now ordinary. My all my fandom in sports has become ordinary because of what I did for a living. There is a neutral time clock keeper in the class.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[David Samson]

So I'd like to eliminate.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, I like ignoring that and just calling it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Exactly right. Thank you.

[David Samson]

No, it ruins. You can't.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, you're ruining it by saying it's neutral because I think it's fun saying that it's cheating by the whole team.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Exactly right.

[David Samson]

So that's the issue. The issue is that you don't care about reality. You just care about the fun you. But wait, the fun is the cheating?

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, I want, I want the illusion of possible. I want to watch that game and say the Detroit Pistons timekeeper, he was cheating so that the Pistons can have an inbounds play and by the way, an extra timeout to draw up a play on the final play.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Bad play.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, how about, you know if Jalen Duran throwing the ball.

[Chris Cody]

Bad play.

[Dan LeBatard]

You know, how about you have a guy who actually passes during the game to throw in the ball.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Ball just went out of bounds. The most anticlimactic situation. They couldn't even get a shot off.

[David Samson]

Well, I was at the game this. God, I'm remembering so many things with you guys today. Do you know what the Trent Tucker rule is?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes, I've heard of it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes, yes, of course, the point three.

[David Samson]

Yes, Trent Tucker was on Martin Luther King day and you can check me. I think it was a Martin Luther King Day Nick game At the Garden, Trent Tucker in the corner. I'm at the game with my little sister who was a baby at the time. Point one on the clock. Catch, shoot three, Knicks win. Going crazy.

[Dan LeBatard]

Not possible. Not humanly possible.

[David Samson]

And then, then they said, wait a minute. Yeah, we can't do this anymore. We're going to say it's 0.3 to do a shot.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Talk about home cooking.

[David Samson]

That.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That home cooking on that clock. One second that even I'd even start it can't.

[David Samson]

And it's the same with point three. That was the joke to me of the whole thing, that the difference between point one and point three is so random to say, oh, now you can catch it and shoot it. But point one, no. All right, point three, no problem.

[Dan LeBatard]

Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Derek Fisher got it off of point.

[Chris Cody]

Headline the Day Trent Tucker changed NBA history. You're right. MLK Day, 1990.

[Dan LeBatard]

Look at that. Look at the big memory on the Chicago Bulls.

[David Samson]

It was against the Bulls. And you have to remember, the Bulls were the bane of my existence growing up because all Jordan did was win.

[Dan LeBatard]

And your thoughts on Charles Smith, number 54.

[David Samson]

Go up strong.

[Dan LeBatard]

Go up strong.

[David Samson]

Now you're bringing me back to fandom. Now I'm feeling it. I'm thinking what it was like in the early 90s when Charles Smith has the ball. I'm asking you, please. Eyes are closed. Don't look now. A ball fake. No. Ball fake too. No. Go up strong. You're six. Eleven. Sorry. You're two for 18. I don't want to dance with the guy I brought to the dance. If you're 2 for 18, I'm going to sit your ass down because we got to win a game seven. We haven't won a title since 1972. I was such a fan. You're bringing it back.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Greg Anthony, Good guy. Carl Anthony Towns.

[David Samson]

Not interested. I don't. I don't. Carl Anthony Downs goes through a whole second half without taking a shot.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[David Samson]

And then all of a sudden, like, all right, now I'm going to take shots.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, like, I wonder if the Nick fan is mad about that. Like, you're obviously super pleased if you're a Nick fan today, but if call Anthony Townsend, any of that in the second half of game two or even just the fourth quarter game, too. You're probably up three. Nothing. Like there's pro. Nick Van's happy today for sure. But it's probably a little bit of.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What, like, where is this guy been?

[Stugotz]

Is that not a little bit on your. Your lead guard and your coach to get cat involved, though, as a big man, like, he doesn't have the ball in his hands at all time. They are, especially in game two, just spamming Jalen Brunson. Jalen Brunson. Jalen Brunson. Jalen Brunson. ISO pick and roll. ISO pick and roll. Like, is it not their offense? They don't run a very complicated offense. They don't run an offense that involves much more than Jalen Brunson and cat in the pick and roll. And if you're not getting him involved, if you're the lead guard, this is what's going to happen. There's going to be stretches, particularly with big men, that operate around the perimeter where there are entire halves where they disappear because there's not a concentrated effort to get them the ball. We saw. It's not the same skill set. It's not the same. The same offensive game, but we saw something not that dissimilar with using Bama Tobayo as a facilitator in game two for Miami and not getting him the ball in positions to score. Now, in this game, there was clearly a concentrated effort coming back for New York to say, hey, we need to get cat involved because our offense completely falls apart late in the game if he's not an option for us. So to me, it's. It's fully up to Thibodeau and Brunson to get that guy to be the player that you expect him to be with the talent that he has. That's who he's been his whole career.

[Dan LeBatard]

I guess the explanation I would give to that, or at least my thought is we wouldn't. We would consider everything you just said if not for there being a little bit of a history with Karl Anthony Towns in big moments. In big.

[Stugotz]

But is there. Was he not really good last year for Minnesota? Were they not like, he had really good moments?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, but I think that consistency is what he's talking about.

[Stugotz]

Right, But I think you're. Your point would be like. And this is again, the same thing we kind of do with bam, which is depending on the perception that you have of the player.

[Dan LeBatard]

They're not the same.

[Stugotz]

No, not on the same level. It's not the same conversation. But it's the perception that you have of the player that dictates how you respond to what performance. Carl Anthony Towns last year, the perception coming in was he won't show up, he won't do anything. And so when he had big moments, we were all caught off guard. So now he gets traded To New York. He has to be the guy. And it's almost as if we forgot those things that you just mentioned, which are occasionally there are going to be games where he doesn't have 35 points in the game and he kind of disappears. And that is because what, he's not one of the 10 best scorers who's ever lived? Like, I don't understand how we're supposed to react to your point too.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's tough when you have a team that is built around a ball. Dominant guard.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards. It's like this is their team.

[Stugotz]

Guys playing off of Luca too. Like similar scenarios.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Exactly. It's just tough to be able to get the ball in positions to score when you're the second, sometimes third option on an offense.

[David Samson]

Just keep in mind that the T Wolves thought that to get better they needed to trade. You're going to say it's not true.

[Stugotz]

They didn't get better and they knew they weren't getting better. That was a salary.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, I think. I think it was money that was.

[Stugotz]

Fully a salary decision.

[David Samson]

So now I'm going to have to. I. Can I do a disclosure on the show?

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, sure.

[David Samson]

I mean this is what we do.

[Dan LeBatard]

Knows. I love disclosures. Let's hear it.

[David Samson]

Do you full disclosures?

[Dan LeBatard]

Yep.

[David Samson]

I'm going to give you a half disclosure.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, come on man.

[Dan LeBatard]

Take what I can get.

[David Samson]

All right. I'll give you a full.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Thank you.

[David Samson]

The Minnesota Twins. The Minnesota Twins. All right. 469. The Minnesota Timberwolves and their trading of Karl Anthony Towns was in an effort not to do anything with the second and first apron. It was an effort to get them closer to winning a championship. And I have it from the source of. From a trade. I'm not going to disclose my source.

[Dan LeBatard]

Journalists.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You said full disclosure. Yeah, he said full disclosure.

[David Samson]

Full disclosure is. I have the answer that it's as it was not a money trade. It was a bad decision. When you don't disclose your source 3/4 I feel like it's 85%. I'm disclosing to you and I'm. I'm trying to tell you that what you think happened with that trade and now the Knicks have cat and I'm worried as a Knick fan, can he be the number two guy in a championship winning team?

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, and this is it for the Knicks too. Because it's not like they. There's no real moves to be made if this doesn't work. Like if they don't believe they're a championship team, they have no more assets. They traded them all, obviously for Mikhail Bridges. You got a money situation where you're paying guys a ton of money. Like this is their team. So it needs to work.

[David Samson]

It's not going to work. The Knicks aren't going to. I assume the Knicks are behind five teams to win the title in their title hopes. Is. Can we, can we name five teams off the top of our head?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Five almost in the Western Conference.

[David Samson]

Yeah. Alone. Well, but only so. I love that because only one of them will get to the NBA Finals. So the question is the Knicks against each of those five teams? Where.

[Stugotz]

But I think at this point, like more people would feel confident in the Pacers than they would feel in the Knicks. And I think people look at obviously Cleveland and Boston and then whatever team comes out of the west and maybe you feel more confident in New York than you do than Indiana. I think Indiana's proven the second half of the year to be a better basketball team during that stretch than New York was. They're really, really good and they're dominating a good team in Milwaukee. But I don't know what the odds would say.

[Chris Cody]

According to DraftKings, they are tied for seventh in terms of odds of winning the champions.

[Dan LeBatard]

But how many eastern teams are out of them?

[Chris Cody]

Just the Cavs and Boston.

[David Samson]

Exactly. As we said, five other.

[Chris Cody]

They're tied with Timberwolves plus 4,500.

[David Samson]

So there you go. So both teams according to net neutral.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Basically for the trade.

[Stugotz]

The interesting thing is really just the way that these front offices have managed things the last few years because you can look not just at New York that now is in this kind of stuck position potentially if this doesn't work out, but the way Milwaukee and Denver will end up feeling about the way that they've managed their franchises post championship around literal Legends of the Game and putting those positions or putting those players in Jokic and Giannis in position to be potentially unhappy. It's shocking the way that those two franchises have. Have kind of failed to build around those generational players.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's my favorite thing though about these NBA playoffs. Like think about where we were in that Denver Clipper series after the first game. That's like, this is going to be a seven game series. This is going to be amazing. And now, I mean, does anyone think Denver's going to win another game this series?

[Stugotz]

They're cooked. Yes, maybe guys, they'll win a game, but they're.

[Chris Cody]

They're not going to win anything. Guys. It's 40 minutes later and I have to pee again.

[Stugotz]

Whoa.

[David Samson]

See you later, folks.

[Chris Cody]

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