The Big Suey: Give Me That Plain Stick (feat. Lucy Rohden)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Big Suey: Give Me That Plain Stick (feat. Lucy Rohden) The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz | Release Date: March 24, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosts Dan LeBatard and Stugotz delve into a variety of topics ranging from the latest in sports, particularly March Madness, to pop culture anecdotes involving celebrities like Ben Affleck and Robert De Niro. Joined by guest Lucy Rodin, the panel engages in lively discussions, humorous banter, and insightful debates, all while providing listeners with their signature blend of sports analysis and entertaining commentary.

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Ben Affleck's Tumultuous Love Life

The episode kicks off with a humorous deep dive into Ben Affleck's notoriously fluctuating romantic relationships. Dan LeBatard opens the conversation with a detailed account of Affleck's on-again, off-again relationship with Jennifer Lopez (JLo).

Dan LeBatard [03:10]: "I don't think he's ever met a woman in his life not named Jennifer. He just can't decide between the two."

LeBatard humorously predicts that Affleck will continue to oscillate between various Jennis, speculating that this pattern will persist throughout his career.

Stugotz [04:24]: "They are good Jennifers."

Chris [04:31]: "Not JLo."

The discussion highlights the ongoing public fascination with Affleck's personal life, blending humor with a touch of satire.

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March Madness Highlights and Duke's Dominance

Transitioning to sports, the hosts turn their attention to March Madness, focusing on Duke University's impressive performance in the NCAA tournament. Dan LeBatard expresses admiration for Duke's basketball prowess, particularly their strategic plays and resilience despite early-game challenges.

Dan LeBatard [06:28]: "Duke is such a dominant team. It is just like there was one point where Duke had this insane lob dunk."

The conversation underscores Duke's status as a favorite for the national championship, with LeBatard praising their consistent performance and strategic gameplay.

Zaslow [07:30]: "She’s killing it."

Chris [09:27]: "She's so good at this."

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Cooper Flagg: To Stay or Go Pro?

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the debate surrounding basketball prospect Cooper Flagg and his decision to enter the NBA draft versus staying another year at Duke. The hosts explore the financial implications, potential career trajectories, and personal growth associated with both choices.

Billy [13:00]: "What would you pay to go back and have another year as Cooper Flagg before you go become Kyle Kuzma?"

Zaslow [14:14]: "It's like a 200 plus million dollar deal."

The discussion delves into the risks and rewards of staying in college, considering factors like injury risks, endorsement opportunities, and long-term financial gains.

Chris [17:04]: "Give up $12.6 million so that maybe next year the ping pong balls go the right direction."

The panel presents diverse viewpoints, highlighting the complexities athletes face when making career-defining decisions.

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Coach Dan Hurley: Leadership Under Scrutiny

The hosts critically examine the behavior of Coach Dan Hurley following a recent loss in the NCAA tournament. They dissect his emotional outburst and subsequent press conference remarks, questioning his leadership style and emotional control.

Dan LeBatard [32:00]: "He's a rough watch. Get out of here. He is so unlikable."

Zaslow [35:29]: "He comes off as a nasty man."

The conversation touches on Hurley's accountability, the impact of his emotional displays on team morale, and his likability among fans and peers.

Lucy Rodin [39:56]: "He's not thinking about Baylor at that moment."

The hosts debate whether Hurley's actions are genuine expressions of frustration or calculated moves to influence perceptions and future team dynamics.

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Robert De Niro's Evolving Career

Shifting to pop culture, the discussion turns to Robert De Niro's recent performances and the general public's perception of his acting career. The hosts express mixed feelings about his latest roles, balancing respect for his legendary status with criticism of his recent work.

Billy [29:01]: "Robert De Niro wants to work, loves to work. And I'm not even criticizing the end of his career because the work has not been very good."

Lucy Rodin [30:38]: "Dirty Robert De Niro would do an extra year at Stella Adler Studio of acting."

They acknowledge De Niro's enduring presence in the film industry while critiquing the quality and impact of his recent projects.

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Host Dynamics and Banter

Throughout the episode, the dynamic between the hosts and guest Lucy Rodin showcases their chemistry and ability to engage in both serious discussions and lighthearted banter. Their interactions add a layer of entertainment, making the podcast both informative and enjoyable.

Dan LeBatard [26:04]: "That's how I get people when they're really mean to me. I'm not like, go f yourself. I'm like, I hope you have the day you deserve."

Zaslow [37:29]: "Give me that plain stick."

This interplay highlights their personalities, with each host bringing unique perspectives and humor to the conversation.

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Final Thoughts and Reflections

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the broader themes discussed, such as the pressures of professional sports, the allure of fame, and the personal choices athletes must navigate. They emphasize the importance of balancing ambition with personal well-being and maintaining authenticity amidst public scrutiny.

Lucy Rodin [27:37]: "Duke was a business trip for Cooper Flagg. It wasn't like fun college time."

Billy [26:51]: "If you ask a retired athlete, what would you pay to have another year of college before it became the big giant business of pressure?"

These closing remarks encapsulate the episode's exploration of ambition, personal growth, and the often unseen challenges behind public success.

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Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz offers listeners a comprehensive blend of sports analysis, pop culture commentary, and engaging discussions on personal and professional dilemmas faced by athletes. Through insightful debates and entertaining banter, the hosts provide a nuanced perspective on the intersection of sports, fame, and personal choices, making it a compelling listen for both avid followers and casual fans alike.

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Notable Quotes:

• Dan LeBatard [03:10]: "I don't think he's ever met a woman in his life not named Jennifer. He just can't decide between the two."
• Billy [13:00]: "What would you pay to go back and have another year as Cooper Flagg before you go become Kyle Kuzma?"
• Dan LeBatard [32:00]: "He's a rough watch. Get out of here. He is so unlikable."
• Dan LeBatard [26:04]: "That's how I get people when they're really mean to me. I'm not like, go f yourself. I'm like, I hope you have the day you deserve."
• Lucy Rodin [27:37]: "Duke was a business trip for Cooper Flagg. It wasn't like fun college time."

All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript segments.

Transcript

[Dan LeBatard]

You're listening to Giraffe Kings Network.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, sure thing. Hey, you sold that car yet?

[Lucy Rodin]

Yeah, sold it to Carvana.

[Stugotz]

Oh, I thought you were selling to that guy.

[Lucy Rodin]

The guy who wanted to pay me in foreign currency, no interest over 36 months.

[Billy]

Yeah, no.

[Lucy Rodin]

Carvana gave me an offer in minutes, picked it up, and paid me on the spot. It was so convenient.

[Billy]

Just like that? Yep.

[Stugotz]

No hassle?

[Billy]

None.

[Stugotz]

That is super convenient.

[Dan LeBatard]

Sell your car to Carvana and swap. Hassle for convenience.

[Mike Ryan]

Pickup fees may apply.

[Jeremy]

Now's a good time to remember where tequila's story truly began. In 1795, Cuervo invented tequila. Cuervo, what are you doing here?

[Billy]

Cuervo. Anytime someone says Cuervo, I show up.

[Jeremy]

Well, I do know that to be true. But even during ad reads like Cuervo, I think he could lay out, especially for one of our great partners.

[Billy]

Sweet, delicious Cuervo.

[Jeremy]

Since then, Cuervo has stayed true to its roots. The same family, the same land, the same passion.

[Billy]

Cuervo.

[Jeremy]

So enjoy the tequila that started it all.

[Billy]

Cuervo. Cuervo.

[Jeremy]

The tequila that invented tequila. Proximo. Cuervo.com, please drink responsibly.

[Billy]

Cuervo.

[Zaslow]

Welcome to the Big Sui presented by DraftKings.

[Billy]

Why are you listening to this show?

[Zaslow]

A podcast that seems very similar to the other Dan LeBatard podcast.

[Billy]

I'm sorry.

[Zaslow]

I'm not gonna apologize for that.

[Chris]

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

[Billy]

I have been tempted in restaurants just walking past tables to grab somebody's fries if they're just there. That hasn't happened to you guys. I've done it.

[Chris]

And now here's the marching man to.

[Zaslow]

Nowhere, Fat Face and the Habitual Liar.

[David Sampson]

This episode of the Dan Lobital show with Stugats is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings. The Crown is yours.

[Billy]

I see that Lucy Rodine is now radiant and just filled with superstardom. I am told by others that the sponsorship dollars are coming her way because people want to be associated with the Rodin brand. Why are you smiling? Zaslow.

[Zaslow]

That makes sense. I see. She's a very busy young lady. I've never talked to her before.

[Billy]

Okay, well, welcome to Zaslow. You're meeting Lucy for the first time. Do you guys want to tell each other anything weird about each other? Zaslow is super weird. Zaslow, a strange, strange person.

[Zaslow]

Your opinion.

[Billy]

Who doesn't. Who doesn't own a coat?

[Zaslow]

Well, because I live in Cooper City, like I haven't needed a coat. And then ESPN springs on Me? Hey, you're going to travel the entire country during college football season. I'm like, okay. And then I learned not everywhere is the same weather as Cooper City.

[Lucy Rodin]

Did you get the Disney passes?

[Zaslow]

Of course.

[David Sampson]

Oh, I missed that.

[Lucy Rodin]

We have to talk later.

[Billy]

Billy misses them so much.

[Lucy Rodin]

So much.

[Billy]

Lucy, welcome. We will talk March Madness with you in a moment. But before we do that, I saw that you were loving all of the Ben Affleck. You have fallen in love with Ben Affleck. It appears to me, based on your social media postings, I'm not, like, in.

[Dan LeBatard]

Love with Ben Affleck himself. I'm in love with watching Ben Affleck's dating life. He wakes up and he goes, what, Jennifer is it going to be today? I don't think he's ever met a woman in his life not named Jennifer. He just can't decide between the two. A few weeks ago, he said, hey, hey, Jennifer Gardner, it's you again. I'll make it work if you want to make it work. And then she came out. She said, I don't want to make it work. That's not true. Right? After two weeks ago or a few weeks ago, he was, like, finally officially divorced from Jennifer Lopez. And then, like, a day after that, they were like, just kidding. They're trying to make it work. He's back with JLo. And then a few weeks prior, he was like, I'm done with JLo. I'm over JLo. That's done. And then a few days before, he's like, I don't know, something good could happen with JLo. He just can't. He can't choose a Jennifer. And I know that he's going to spend the rest of his life jumping from Jennifer to Jennifer to Jennifer. And I can't wait to watch.

[Billy]

Jeremy, why are you smiling?

[Chris]

I was just thinking of how incredible Ben Affleck is in terms of his weird dating life and what Lucy said. The fact that he's just oscillating between these Jennifers for, what, like, 30 years? Why is it weird one Jennifer or another? I'm trying Jennifer.

[Billy]

They're good Jennifer.

[Zaslow]

They're good. Jennifer's.

[Chris]

They are good Jennifers. Well, not JLo.

[Billy]

Whoa.

[Chris]

I'm not a JLO guy. We've done this before.

[David Sampson]

Oh, we've done this before.

[Chris]

I'm not a JLO guy.

[Zaslow]

All right?

[Chris]

I don't have to be a JLO guy.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hey, let's just say something.

[Zaslow]

Two minutes right here in the shipping container for trying to leave.

[Dan LeBatard]

Okay, I'm Just gonna ignore that.

[Billy]

It just said leaving on the thing. And I thought it would be like him leaving is what I thought it was gonna say. What were you going to say?

[Dan LeBatard]

Lucy, one thing we can agree about both Jennifer's is they're hot. Do you know what else is hot? Jimmy John's sandwich. This Lucy segment is brought to you by Jimmy John's. They're finally here and they're hot. Try new toasted sandwiches at Jimmy John's. Order one today.

[Billy]

We got to do better than that. Billy, you saw what I thought that was pretty good. Billy, you saw what happened. You made Billy burst out laughing. How about you give us some good information and then attach a sponsor to it, like give us something on the Duke Baylor game. Give us. Give us some good information and then have it sponsored.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, I thought the Jennifer information was really good and that actually kind of hurt my feelings a little bit because that's something. I'm very sorry.

[Billy]

Forgive. Don't worry about the sports information. I'm sorry. I should.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's, you know, I'm going to say jumping from Jennifer to Jennifer is almost a sport. I would agree that that might be true. Duke, Baylor, this is one of the games we went to. It was one of those things where I left being like, thank God I picked Duke to win my bracket because it is insane how good they are, even with Cooper flag in foul trouble early in game. It is just like there was one point where Duke had this insane lob dunk and Jeremy Roach, former Duke player, I saw him close up, just look at Baylor go. There's really nothing we can do about this. Like, it was Baylor had given up because Duke was such a dominant team. And this was following right on the heels of Florida Yukon, where Florida was supposed to kind of cruise. That's also been the very popular pick to be the national champion. It is just remarkable how good Duke basketball is right now. And they kind of feel like the clear favorite for me to win the national championship through this March Madness so far.

[Zaslow]

Did you show up for the game before also?

[Billy]

Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

The Florida Yukon one. Yes. That I would love to live life never having to watch Florida try to shoot free throws again. Like, I think that would be really good for me emotionally and spiritually. It was one of those games where, like, it just. The first half was like, oh, my God, this is what you guys must feel like. When I talk about Iowa football, nothing is happening. This is like, why? Why are we doing this? There's so much defense and there's nothing fun happening it gave me some, some pause with Flor. The freezer line issues are something that it's going to, you know, haunt them if they continue to play the way they did. I don't necessarily agree with Dan Hurley's take that they were screwed.

[Zaslow]

Yeah, Dan Hurley thinks they were cheating.

[Dan LeBatard]

Dan Hurley is always thinking stuff. He's a professional yapper. But don't worry, now that Dan Hurley and Yukon have been eliminated from the NCAA tournament, he could go on vacation. So this joke in. In this off roading segment was presented by Priceline. Dreaming about that trip. Book it and go to your happy price with Priceline.

[Billy]

We got to get better at these.

[Zaslow]

She's killing it.

[Lucy Rodin]

It's so smooth.

[Zaslow]

No, I like it. Just every few seconds, throw in the sponsor. You're doing a fine job. Lucy.

[Chris]

No.

[Dan LeBatard]

That was so seamless and beautiful and I tied it into the basketball. You said no, Lucy. No more Jennifer talk. You got to talk about basketball.

[Billy]

What is.

[Dan LeBatard]

And I did.

[Billy]

What is the best fan base you've encountered in your travels?

[Dan LeBatard]

I was actually very surprised by this one. We were in Lexington for day one and then Raleigh for day four. So Lexington, day one. Not a ton of great games there. It was just. It's been a little bit of a bummy March Madness the first two rounds in the sense of like competitive matchups and upsets. But despite that, the Wofford Terrier fan base is electric. They, they were the wildest fans I've ever heard in my life. The things they were screaming at officials, I cannot repeat on the show. It would not be safe for me to say they were so much fun that I think we have to do off roading at Woff in the future because it was the, like I was in shock. And they were playing Tennessee, Tennessee, who like notoriously has great, very passionate, very into it fans. Wofford a different level. A different level. You have the guy that does underhand free throws.

[Billy]

Yes. You're saying, you're saying that the Wofford fan base is the most electric fan base you've ever encountered in all of your travels.

[Dan LeBatard]

In the sense that like, obviously they're a much smaller fan base. I will say maybe aggressive is the right term. Louisville fans also quite aggressive. They were an angry bunch. Respected that though they were like Wofford, I won't say is like the most amazing fan base just because we do get to go to a lot of cool games, which. Thank you for that. Hey, and if you want to go to a lot of cool games, you can download the game Time app. What time is it? Game Time. Download the Game Time app and redeem Code Lucy. Not damn for 20 off your first purchase.

[Chris]

She's so good at this.

[Zaslow]

She's really good at it.

[Chris]

It's amazing.

[Billy]

Well, this is why she's a rising star in the business, that all the sponsors want to be around her. Billy, you were very. You were very excited by.

[Lucy Rodin]

No, it's just the transitions have been seamless. I don't know if you've even noticed this. And the fans on YouTube can notice it while she's doing new, new spots. That's the logo in the corner changes. She talks about Game Time. There's a Game Time logo. There's a Priceline logo. There's a Jimmy Johnson. It's incredible.

[Billy]

Early rounds in the women's tournament, I found the men's stuff to be disappointing, and I wanted more. And usually the chalk in the women's tournament advances easily early on, and that's not a lot of fun to watch.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't necessarily know if it's not a lot of fun to watch. I think that watching what UConn did to Arkansas State is fun in a sick, you know, sadistic, twisted way. Yeah, that tends to be sort of the case with the women's tournament. I don't know if it's just like the talent gap between the best teams in women's college basketball or the fact that it's, you know, at home venues, but I thought it was a pretty decent start. You did get one pretty notable. Notable upset in Kansas State beating Kentucky. That ends Georgia Amore's college career. And she was electric this year at Kentucky and was just must see TV when she was at Virginia Tech. And so I thought that was a pretty big upset. That game went into overtime. Ended up being pretty good one. Kansas State, they are always a sneaky team, but I view it less of the sense where, like, the men's tournament, we're very used to the. The 15 beating the 2 every year or something nutty or crazy happening. So you kind of have to take a different approach of, like, you're watching the women's tournament to the best at what they do. We're like, you're watching the men's tournament for, like, slop and upsets and craziness. And so I thought the good. I thought the first round, which is still going on today, there's still some more games happening, has been pretty good for the women so far.

[Billy]

Good seeing you keep cashing those checks. The sponsors love you. Take care.

[Dan LeBatard]

You're welcome for making you all this money.

[Billy]

Both of us. It's not. I don't get it all. Can I ask you guys? Because Zaslow was mentioning, and we were talking earlier about his 16 year old son. Do you realize there's a whole segment of people as he was mentioning that don't know anything about Charles Barkley's basketball career and don't remember anything about George Foreman as a boxer. Zsasz's son is being introduced for the first time to David Sampson.

[Zaslow]

So my son's at an age at 16 where his friends, they're all on social media and his friends say, hey, look at this clip. It's your dad on the Lebatard show, you know, the other day. And okay, you know, my son's not that impressed with it, but he, he, he then sees, he looks at the comments, you know, and my son said, he goes, I gotta tell you, the comments, people, people really liked you. And I go, it just, it'll even out, all right? Don't worry about that. And then he says, I'll tell you who they don't like. I'm like, oh, okay. Who? He goes, that Samson guy. And that's why I laughed. And he doesn't know who he is, though. I said, you know who. David Sampson. He's like, he thinks he's just a personality on your show. And I guess that makes sense if you're 16 and David Sampson hasn't been the president of the Marlins in what, seven years? Like it makes sense. Like, yeah, he was a president of Marlins. He swindled the city and got the stadium. Like, you know, everybody hates them, they're cheap, whatever. But he.

[Billy]

Those were the Cliff Notes.

[Zaslow]

Yeah, those.

[Chris]

I mean, that's it.

[Zaslow]

That's what you lead with, right?

[Chris]

$2 billion for you.

[Zaslow]

Yeah. So he has been introduced to David. You know, they don't like that Samson guy.

[Billy]

What would you do if you are Cooper? Flag with your future. Does anyone out here want to play at the bottom rung of the NBA ladder? Like, I. And I asked this question watching that Charlotte team that has never played a meaningful basketball game. And I've watched Anthony Mason and Jamal Mashburn, that franchise does not know what it is to play a meaningful basketball.

[Zaslow]

Game and never even been to a conference finals.

[Billy]

Well, but, I mean, Michael Jordan, one of the great disasters in ownership, except for he makes money on his way out, but nothing good happened there the entire time he was there.

[Zaslow]

Or they look like they were onto something. Then Dwyane Wade murdered the guy in the purple shirt.

[Chris]

Yeah, purple shirt guy ended everything for them. They were trending up for the first time in franchise history.

[Zaslow]

Something was happening there. And then Dwayne Wade said, sit Jazz down. Nothing since.

[Billy]

That is kind of the history of it. But Charlotte hasn't played a meaningful game since Headband crazy. And you're going to go play as Cooper Flag for a team worse than Charlotte.

[Zaslow]

So I, I've, I've talked about this a bit recently on ESPN radio with Cooper Flag where we're in an age where, okay, he could make as much staying another year at Duke as he would his first year salary. Almost as much, maybe in the NBA, even if he's the number one overall pick. You enter the draft, you see the Wizards or the Hornets. These are God forsaken franchises. Okay, I don't want to go play there. You pull out of the draft, you're going to go back to school, Duke, you know, because being the big man on campus, pretty awesome, really fun life and you're going to make a lot of money. But the pushback that I've gotten, and it is interesting, the pushback that I've gotten is if you stay another year in school, you're delaying yourself another year of getting that first contract after your rookie deal and that first contract by, by the time he gets there five years from now. So I mean it's like a 200 plus million dollar deal.

[Billy]

The thing about money to me and these conversations that are most interesting is I wonder if I go back to retired athlete and say, hey, at 50 or 60, what would you pay to have another year of college before it became the, like the big giant business of pressure? Because one of the things that happened when you arrive at this, these kinds of successes and become an economy for things is that you get to the pros and now it's just a lot of responsibilities. You thought it was going to be fun, but you're running a business and you might like the playing. You're not going to like actually very much the practices and the shoot arounds and all the meticulous sculpting in basketball. But if I gave anybody in our audience, how much would you pay to go back and have a year of college as Cooper Flagg? Not as yourself, my God, not as yourself, as Cooper Flag. What would you pay to have another year of that before you did, before you go become Kyle Kuzma and just start wandering around alleys in Washington because, you know, 9,000 people are watching your games?

[David Sampson]

How about the, the kids that got drafted out of high school Would you ask them? Would you rather have gone to college instead of going straight to the pros?

[Chris]

I mean, the reality is is these endorsements are carrying over either way, right? So, like you're going to make 12 or 13 million dollars as the number one overall pick in your base salary, that you make $0 in your base sal. And all the endorsements that you're getting, the quote, unquote, nil deals. This is the same conversation we were having about Caitlin Clark last year about, oh, if she stayed at Iowa, she'd get all this nil money. But you're still going to get all of the sponsorships that come with nil money if you're in the NBA. And wherever Cooper Flagg goes, like, if he stays for another year, what makes you guys think that the Wizards and the Hornets aren't going to be the two worst teams in the NBA next year?

[Lucy Rodin]

Draft. Draft is still amongst bad teams next year.

[Zaslow]

Right, but it's a lottery, you know, it's not the NFL draft where the worst team and they're going to be terrible again and the worst.

[Chris]

So give up $12.6 million. That's what the number one overall pick got this year in base salary. Give up $12.6 million so that maybe next year the ping pong balls go the right direction.

[Billy]

Oh, no, but. No but. And you get another year of college. It's why I'm asking you about the price. I'm asking.

[Chris]

Why is college a fun thing for Cooper Flag, like hanging out at Duke?

[Stugotz]

Do you want to go to like Louisville and Blacksburg and Charlottesville and like all these other ACC places every week or do you want to play in the NBA? Like, I think, you know, it's probably. He's probably having a fun time because he's in college, but I think it would be more fun to be a professional basketball.

[Lucy Rodin]

It's also really cool being an NBA player.

[Zaslow]

Like, he's definitely having a fun time in college, but it's not just about which is more fun, being the big man on campus at Duke or being a professional player in the number one overall pick. It's about what is going to play for Washington or Charlotte going to do to my career.

[Billy]

So let me ask you guys a different portion of this because I guess everyone's in agreement. Wow, the NBA seems like it's fun. I'll get new friends. But I want to just explore for a moment the idea that whenever I talk to these professionals who have made all the money, they talk about where their regrets are and how it changed from college to the pros in terms of money and responsibility. It may be different now because college was no money. And so a lot of them were broke together. And we can romanticize it, you know, the Christmases that were terrible once you get to the good Christmases. But when I tell you that this group of people that I've talked to over the years always say that before it became a business, it was a different kind of treasure. And it's something I was doing with my friends where then I went to go work with my coworkers. What would you give for a year? Because it's not just big man on campus, it's big man on campus with your friends and you can say make new friends. But I'm telling you now, you're wearing a lot of responsibility in the pros and you're not gonna get away with the stuff that you were doing in college as the big man on campus. What's that worth to you? The dream? Because if everyone says they wanna be a rock star and athlete so that they can, you know, get fame and sex and money, he can have all of that at Duke.

[Lucy Rodin]

Yeah, but he's an 18 year old. It's not like he's finishing up his fourth year and he's choosing to leave a year early. Like he was a mercenary and he went to Duke and he's gonna turn it down to go to frat parties. Like his dream is to go to the NBA, not hang out with the Duke boys.

[Chris]

It's also like two of his teammates are going to be top, what, five to ten picks anyway, also they're going to leave. So all the friends that he's hanging out with, that's going to change. And I would imagine he gets away with more at the NBA level. Like you're talking about all these things, oh, you could do and be the big man on campus at Duke. I would imagine the structure of being on a college basketball team is probably even more limiting than it would be playing in the NBA.

[Jess]

Also, the hubris of somebody who's going to be the number one pick and has been the best player and has been told they're the best player for the last five years of their life. That idea is like, oh, I'm going to go to Charlotte and I'm going to be the reason why they're good. I'm going to go to Washington and I'm going to be the reason why we're going to turn it around.

[Zaslow]

That is true. These guys have that ego where they believe they're going to be the reason for the winning. But, man, like, we were probably saying the same type of stuff, and I know injury plays a role, but Zion Williamson was supposed to be that guy. You're going to draft him number one overall and he's going to turn your franchise around. And it's like, like, hey, he's with an organization that, you know, has never really done anything and now he's toiling away there and they're still kind of a garbage franchise.

[Chris]

But he made a lot more money because he left after being a rookie than getting hurt at Duke. Like Cooper Flag just got lucky that that ankle injury wasn't a lot worse. If he gets through this March Madness unscathed, this man has to go to the NBA draft because if you risk another potentially big injury like Zion would have had in college, then you never get that contract.

[Lucy Rodin]

That's what I was going to say. I mean, Zion escaped it. That shoe thing could have been a disaster for Zion. Why would you risk getting injured in College for $4 million in nil money when you can get a $12 million guaranteed base salary?

[Zaslow]

Yeah, we're talking about that like as if the career ending injuries are a common thing. It's like that doesn't really happen.

[Chris]

It's one less contract, Right? Think Jimmy Butler is a perfect example at the end of his career, right? But at the end of Jimmy Butler's career here, right, he's getting one last contract at a certain age. If he were one or two years older, maybe he doesn't get that deal he just got with the warriors because of an extra year of wear and tear. So by entering the league later, you're shorting yourself of one last contract. And right now, the contract that they're giving out to a max player at 35, 36 year old, is 2 years, $120 million. Imagine what that's going to be when Cooper flagg is there 15 years from now. You might be missing out on that last payday because you didn't go for one more year of college where you can make $5 million. It makes no sense. Hey, friends, it's Jerbear here, and I'm here to tell you all about Boost Mobile, which is now a legit nationwide 5G network. So I must take a break from the jokes here for a second and put on my serious voice because I would never, ever joke about a 5G network that has invested billions building 5G towers across the country. Not even once. Not even if Mr. Boost Mobile himself asked me to. There is nothing funny about it. Boost Mobile is now a legit nationwide 5G network and also provides coverage across 99% of America. Seriously? Visit boostmobile.com or your nearest Boost Mobile store location to learn more. The Boost Mobile Network, together with our roaming partners, covers 99% of the US population. 5G speeds not available in all areas.

[Mike Ryan]

All right, I know I gotta do this ad read, but hold on, let me reapply.

[Zaslow]

Did you hear that?

[Billy]

Yep.

[Mike Ryan]

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[Jeremy]

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[Lucy Rodin]

Don LeBatard he seems like a not.

[Dan LeBatard]

Nice guy and he's always been a not nice guy. I don't care for him and I hope he has the day he deserves.

[Billy]

Oh, stugac. I hope he has the day he deserves.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's how I get people when they're really mean to me. I'm not like, go f yourself. I'm like, I hope you have the day you deserve.

[Billy]

It's a great kind. It's a great kind. Insult.

[Dan LeBatard]

Insult.

[Billy]

Yes, it's beautiful. It's leaving it to the cosmos to sort it out. That's a less Southern.

[Zaslow]

Bless your heart.

[Billy]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats. It doesn't make when we're talking about dollars and cents. This one is so interesting to me because. Because if I ask hypothetical person X, hey, you're going to have made $100 million in your life. Would you like to go back and have another year of something that felt more like childhood for $7 million? For $6 million? For would you like another year before the responsibilities? I'd just be curious what the answers are. I know what all your perspectives are.

[Lucy Rodin]

Well, you're asking all people who are retired, who already made all of that money, who are longing for a day that they thought was the good old days that when they were in it probably weren't so happy.

[Stugotz]

Also, like, it's not playing like big time college hoops at Duke. It's not something akin to childhood. It is like a job. You're getting paid significantly less than if you have that actual job in the NBA with a collectively bargained base salary. So it's not like, I mean it's a lot of work. Like it's you're going back to college to do a lot of work. And for someone who's been the best basketball player in his town and now it is college, he probably wants to play against the best Basketball players in the world which play in the NBA. It's why he was part of all the USA Basketball camps this summer and was playing with Steph Curry and LeBron and practicing with them before the Olympics.

[Lucy Rodin]

Duke was a business trip for Cooper Flagg. It wasn't like fun college time.

[Billy]

I mean that's awfully absolute.

[Lucy Rodin]

It's a stop on his journey. His goal wasn't to go to Duke and attend there for four years.

[Billy]

But you're doing it. Absolutely. I don't even disagree with you, but you're making the NBA huge funds at every turn. I'm going to all these cities.

[Lucy Rodin]

I don't think Duke is fun, if I'm going to be honest.

[Billy]

Probably not.

[Lucy Rodin]

Give me a list of places to go. Duke's not on it.

[Billy]

It's. Well, I mean, that's not the definition.

[Lucy Rodin]

You give me a list of places to go to have fun. Duke is not on that list.

[Zaslow]

I guess what I'm getting at is Dollywood. If he declares for and he will if he declares for the NBA draft and then you got the draft lottery at the end of May and the Washington Wizards win that draft lottery, no one is sitting down and having just, just a conversation saying, look, you would be a year further away from getting that next huge contract. But also, let's consider, do you want to play somewhere where you're winning 25 games every single season? Is that going to make you happy?

[Billy]

And, and just as this last point, which one do you guys imagine is more fun? Just curious. When you say playing against the best right now, the person be the lamelo ball or Cooper Flag.

[Zaslow]

It can't be fun.

[Lucy Rodin]

Guys. Next year the NBA draft lottery is going to be won by a bad team. Also, like, what's the confusion here? He's not going to be drafted by like the Lakers.

[Zaslow]

No. There's a difference between a bad team and like a poorly run team. Utah is a really bad team. Danny Ainge knows what he's doing. You know, if Utah gets the number one overall pick, Cooper Flag is likely going to be in a really good situation. If the Wizards get the number one overall pick, he's going to be in a terrible, horrible situation.

[Jess]

He keep losing. All of a sudden that ping pong ball for the Heat.

[Chris]

Ethical, ethical tanking. Ethical tank.

[Lucy Rodin]

You can't do that culture.

[Billy]

Let me ask you guys something about changing viewing habits that I have not yet caught up to. And I feel bad about this, that this is still something that surprises me because of my old patterns. When Robert De Niro Quietly appears on Netflix with a new movie. I don't understand. A Robert De Niro movie appearing quietly on Netflix.

[Zaslow]

It's getting panned, right?

[Billy]

Well, Robert De Niro hasn't made anything good in a very long time. And it's why I wanted to ask the shipping container about what their assessment of Robert De Niro is, because I'm gonna say it's been 15 years.

[Zaslow]

Well, he's also in a show on Netflix too, right now. Right.

[Billy]

Robert De Niro wants to work, loves to work. And I'm not even criticizing the end of his career because the work has not been very good. And. And not to his standard as one of the best actors that there's ever been. But I don't know how you guys, when we talk about Charles Barkley, some people don't remember him as a player. We've now had enough De Niro movies that aren't any good that a whole lot of people might not know that De Niro's good.

[Chris]

That's the guy from Meet the Fockers, right?

[Billy]

Right, that's correct.

[Lucy Rodin]

And Dirty Grandpa.

[Chris]

Oh, oh, right.

[Lucy Rodin]

Dirty Robert De Niro would do an extra year at Stella Adler Studio of acting.

[Billy]

How do you guys think of Robert De Niro?

[Lucy Rodin]

I mean, I think he's cashing checks at this point, if we're being honest. Is he not? I mean, come on, he's 81.

[Stugotz]

He was in a best picture nominated film a year ago. Killers of the Flower Moon.

[David Sampson]

Oh, yeah, that's right.

[Zaslow]

That's a Scorsese movie. That's. That's respectable.

[Billy]

Hey, you know what? It is true. But all of you forgot it when I was talking about it.

[Zaslow]

I didn't.

[Dan LeBatard]

I just brought it up.

[Stugotz]

I think I'm also the only one that probably watched that movie cuz it was very long.

[Chris]

Everyone told us not to watch it long.

[Jess]

Remember when he tried to kick it? The guy in the Irishman? I think that's when I was like, ah, I'm good. Actually, I'll go back and watch you in Godfather 2.

[Billy]

Zazlo, you weren't believing Hurley yesterday, incidentally, just so Florida has empirically. What is being rated by the people who do the analytics best? The best offense we've seen in the sport in a decade. Their free throws were a problem yesterday and UConn stayed with them all game. UConn has been bad for them this season. And Hurley has been someone who publicly has shown us more of himself than we've ever seen. And he's got jagged edges. He's Arrogant. He will.

[Zaslow]

He's brutal.

[Billy]

He. He will be somebody that can be not liked in his pursuit of championships, as people watch him. And yesterday he leaves the court losing by two and is. It's not a graceful exit.

[Zaslow]

I mean, he's. He's leaving the floor essentially accusing the referees of cheating. You lost to the number one seed in the region, a team who only behind Duke. Everyone else is picking Florida to win the national championship. You didn't lose because of cheating. I mean, this guy. They won the national championship the last two years, winning every game by double figures. I mean, all the games were. I think the closest one was, um, where they lost by. Where they won by 13. That was like the closest game. And now when they finally lose, he's accusing the. The officials of cheating, yelling to Baylor, I hope they don't have you the way they have to us. And then he gets to the press conference and with the crocodile tears. My God. Oh, he is. He is. He's a rough watch. Get out of here. He is so unlikable.

[Billy]

Crocodile tears.

[Zaslow]

Crocodile. That means phony tears.

[Billy]

Thank you. Thank you for the definition. Can you. Can you please play the sound of Hurley off the court? Even though. Even though Zaz did a pretty good reenactment. I hope they don't do that to you.

[Zaslow]

Does he really hope they don't do that to Baylor? Like he's thinking himself, right? Their season ended. God, I hope Baylor doesn't have that happen to them. What's gonna happen to Baylor?

[Billy]

What are you laughing about, Billy?

[Lucy Rodin]

I mean, he's right. He's not thinking about Baylor at that moment.

[Zaslow]

God, is Baylor gonna be okay? I hope. I. I gotta go tell them. I hope it doesn't happen to them. Get out of here.

[Billy]

I like you leaning away from the microphone and just shouting, sort of belching.

[Zaslow]

That's why.

[Billy]

No, but the way you characterized that as how Hurley did it did not quite match the video because in the video he's in a suit and he is walking with his back a little further back than it should be. And he's not helping Baylor or nor trying to help Baylor. He's just hissing in anger because his team was pretty close and shouldn't have been because they're not as good as Florida by a long shot. That was a 10 point underdog. They were in that game. But when you lean back from the microphone and do it with the casual arrogance of his, arrogance of Hurley, it's something that made me think of a conversation we were having last week about Elon Musk and likability.

[David Sampson]

He's not.

[Billy]

Who are the people in sports who are universally likable? I know Seth Curry. Many of you are tired of the storyline. Almost so impossibly sweet. As if you've grown bored of how impossibly sweet it is. But when you think of likable people across sports, who gets to be the opposite of Hurley? Because I enjoy, obviously the coaches. Pete Carroll's of the world are fine. It's nice to be around. But I enjoy these people or hissing monsters of showing you their vanities, showing you their arrogance, showing you when they're pissed off that they don't care how it looks, that you don't like them.

[Zaslow]

I don't like nasty people. I think it's a pretty easy way for me to sum up how I feel about Dan Hurley. He comes off as a nasty man.

[Billy]

He does. But he's a champion. And usually we like that. We were fine with that. I mean, he comes off as nasty. He was plenty likable the last two years before this one.

[Zaslow]

Right. So what happened this year?

[Chris]

He was kind of a competitive asshole then too, right? Like, even when he was winning championships, most people felt the way that Zaz does right now, which is like, hey, he's a great coach and he's led them to this unbelievable run, capitalizing on, let's be real, a couple of the worst years in college basketball history, but going and winning back to back national championship. He just seemed like this kind of jerk toward everybody.

[Billy]

But. But that.

[Chris]

That was okay because it was. It was masked with winning.

[Zaslow]

You know, they went back to back national champions and then they finally lose. He's crying, like actually crying on the podium.

[Chris]

I actually found that likable.

[Zaslow]

No, it's. I found it.

[Jess]

Fake crocodile teams, really. Can you imagine him with a massive megaphone, like being the Lakers head coach? And what he would be doing there?

[Zaslow]

He'd be all. An awful NBA coach. He must regret that one. He wouldn't have made it through the first year.

[Jess]

No fire. LeBron would have gotten him out of there.

[Zaslow]

Awful. He missed his window. He'll. He'll never be an NBA coach. Never.

[Jess]

I like that.

[Zaslow]

I own that statement.

[Billy]

Let's play for everybody. The sound of Stu got not knowing what crocodile tears are. When we were at that Jay Wakefield event and a thousand people come out and we see the shipping container and they're on a stage and they're like rock stars. You and me both had tears in our eyes. We're like mom and dad of sentiment. And it's hard to get you to sentiment, man.

[Zaslow]

I still want the end. It's almost what I want. But you're right, that was a very emotional moment for us to see those guys running. That particular appearance was. Was very. I'm telling you guys, you were on stage. Dan and I were both crying. Are you guys aware of this? Crying? Like crocodile tears.

[Billy]

We believe crocodile tears are fake. I thought they meant big.

[Zaslow]

Where is the guy?

[Chris]

I missed that guy.

[Billy]

Start of the day, start of the day it is the start of the day Start of the day, Start of the day it is the start of the day Start of the day, Start.

[Zaslow]

Of the day it is the start of the day Start of the day Start of the day it is the.

[Billy]

Start of the day.

[David Sampson]

Stat of the day is brought to you by Evan Williams Bourbon game day's number one pour Evan Williams Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Bardstown, Kentucky 43 to 45% alcohol by volume. Enjoy responsibly 21 and over. For the first time in 1102 days, UConn has lost a tournament game.

[Zaslow]

Wow.

[Billy]

Zaslo's anger and hostility toward Hurley. Can you explain to me when I say to you, and you're right to make the correction, Hurley was the same person and you may not have liked it, but winning does indeed mask and especially the correlation that me. Wait. We make causation when one of these people is a jerk and we say, well, that's why he wins. He's rewarded for it because look at the disciplinarian that that he is. But I don't think that those are insincere tears. I think that man cares so obsessive compulsive deeply that of course he would break emotionally and wouldn't even want people to see that. I don't think because of whatever it is his guards are about needing to be leader guy.

[Zaslow]

I mean, wouldn't you think that the real person is the one who is caught candidly coming off the floor as opposed to the guy who knows I'm about to get in front of media and cameras? Okay, this is what I want to say.

[Chris]

I believe the tears. What I don't believe is that he said he'll never love a team as much as he loved this team.

[Zaslow]

Wouldn't you love a team that won the national championship?

[Chris]

He just won back to back championships. Yeah, he's a liar, that one. Come on.

[Lucy Rodin]

To Zaslo's point, when he didn't know the camera was on, he was behaving like a spoiled brat, screaming and cursing. And then when he knew the camera was going to be on and he had time to compose himself, all of a sudden he's crying and he's, I love everybody so much. I'm this great leader.

[Zaslow]

I hope Baylor doesn't get screwed like we did.

[Jess]

You know what that was? Salesman. He turned the salesman. We talked about it last week. All of a sudden, you're a head coach, you're a CEO, you're a salesman. You know what? This guy cares about his team. They lost, but he cares. All of a sudden, I'm going to commit to UConn.

[Zaslow]

And he cares about Baylor because he's worried that they're going to get screwed like they did.

[Chris]

I feel like we're saying that Dan Hurley is a better actor than Robert De Niro.

[Billy]

Wow. Zaslow leaned back from the microphone and shouted it like a man at a bar. Casual. A bar he sort of owns. Casually being arrogant around others. Just, I hope. I hope they don't bleep you. Like the way they believed us. Just, like, loud enough for the refs to hear. That's he wasn't really doing it for us or the cameras. Right. It was. It was just if the refs were somewhere behind.

[Lucy Rodin]

Well, no, he also could be doing it because he wants some nil transfers. You know what I mean? Like, in a transfer portal situation, there's so many zying on Bailiff. Like, hey, good luck out there. I hope they don't screw you. Like, you know, they screwed us. And then offseason comes, and all of a sudden, he's talking to them. He's like, I got $2 million for you, if you want to. Remember when I was worried about you in the tournament? Like, oh, yeah, coach. You cared so much about me. Boom.

[Zaslow]

Remember, I was the coach who, when our game ended, our season ended, we're no longer national champions. First thing I thought of was, let me go seek out. Let me. Where's Baylor? I got to let them know, I hope you don't get screwed like we did.

[Billy]

There are many unusual things about the mysterious and magical Zaslo. Let me choose one. Are you still someone who eats donuts that don't have sugar on them?

[Zaslow]

I, I, I don't eat things in my hands that get messy. That's what it boils down to.

[Jess]

So you're not a wings guy?

[Zaslow]

No.

[Jess]

No ribs.

[Zaslow]

No and no. No ribs. No all over the face. It's not worth it. Look like an idiot. I'll do it.

[Billy]

No food that you would hold with.

[Zaslow]

Your hand that will make me messy. Like. Oh, pizza. Okay.

[Jess]

That'll get you messy, though. You get a saucy.

[Zaslow]

What are you, two years old?

[Jess]

Saucy. Pile of a sudden, you got a little schmutz.

[Zaslow]

I'm an adult. I could eat pizza without getting messy. But the ribs, the wings is not worth it. It don't taste good enough for. For the cleanup process that takes place.

[Chris]

That's insane.

[David Sampson]

You are crazy.

[Lucy Rodin]

We have both ends of the spectrum here. Because Jess doesn't eat certain things with, like, a fork and knife.

[Stugotz]

By my understanding, I just eat everything with my hands.

[Billy]

Good for you. Donuts, though. Donuts. If it has sugar on it, you're not eating it.

[Zaslow]

It's too messy. Messy. Just too messy. The. The icing. I don't do that either. Icing's overrated, man. I don't need icing.

[David Sampson]

Like, glaze.

[Zaslow]

Give me. I love my favorite donut. Okay, what you're getting at is my go to donut every time I go to Dunkin. Give me that plain stick.