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Dan LeBatard
This Memorial Day, turn up the heat.
Stugotz
With the Home Depot.
Dan LeBatard
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Stugotz
Next level all summer long with the Home Depot. See homedepot.com delivery for more details.
Dan LeBatard
Now's a good time to remember where tequila's story truly began. In 1795, Cuervo invented tequila. Cuervo, what are you doing here?
Stugotz
Cuervo. Anytime someone says Cuervo, I show up.
Dan LeBatard
Well, I do know that to be true. But even during ad reads like Cuervo, I think you could lay out especially for one of our great partners.
Stugotz
Sweet, delicious Cuervo.
Dan LeBatard
Since then, Cuervo has stayed true to its roots. The same family, the same land, the same passion.
Stugotz
Cuervo.
Dan LeBatard
So enjoy the tequila that started it all.
Stugotz
Cuervo. Cuervo.
Dan LeBatard
The tequila that invented tequila. Proximo. Cuervo.com Please drink responsibly.
Stugotz
Cuervo. This is the Don Levatar show with the Stugats podcast.
Dan LeBatard
Today's episode is sponsored by DraftKings. Stay tuned because you'll hear more about DraftKings and all it has to offer throughout the show. DraftKings the crown is yours.
Chris Cody
WFAT.
Stugotz
When your team is losing and you want to fight, WFAT will make you feel all right. When your dreams of glory have come to an end, WFAI will be your greatest friend.
David Samson
Wfat from sea to shining sea, our.
Stugotz
Callers are doing our jobs for free at wfat. Outside of Jorge Sedano, I don't think there's anyone in the history of this market who knows where Stugatz's skeletons are buried. More, more than Zaslow. He has seen every incarnation of the Stugot. Yeah, from hungry to lazy to lazy. What you are right now Stugatz, which is fully engaged. This is StuGotz is working five days this week. It's the first time I can remember that and I do not know how long. And it's because the Knicks matter and he is now programming wfat. I am not happy with our guest list today, which is New York Aggressive and Zazzle. I'm going to need your help beating some of this back because Stugot is you always want to harness the maximum Stugot's energy, but the New York Is Asian. Of what it is that we're doing around here makes me uncomfortable.
Roy Bellamy
Yeah.
David Samson
You guys. You guys are feeling so good right now. You're going to come crashing down soon though. It looks like your team's breaking down a little bit. Jalen Brunson.
Chris Cody
Yeah.
David Samson
OG Anunoby. Only so many injuries you could take.
Chris Cody
OG was great last night. I gotta tell you. He kept us in the game when Brunson went out. And that's.
David Samson
Enjoy it while you can.
Chris Cody
Yeah. What do you mean while I can?
David Samson
While you can? I'm enjoying it while you can.
Chris Cody
Zazzle. I haven't enjoyed this in 30 years. I'm going to enjoy the hell out of it. Yes.
Stugotz
I will say a couple of things about what is happening here that is wonderful to watch. One, it's the most lovable Knicks team of my lifetime, bar none. You can have whatever it is that you hate about those jerseys.
Chris Cody
It might be the only.
Stugotz
But those players. Josh Hart playing more minutes than Wilt Chamberlain. Like, think about that for a second. I mean, that's classic Thibodeau, right? But playing more minutes than Wilt Chamberlain. And this team is now representing when Jalen Brunson comes out in the second half and like doubles down on. We're maximum underdogs. We come back from all odds. We can overcome anything with our heart. Our Josh Hart and our Hart and Stein. We can. We're gonna. With our heart on. You're gonna. On our sl.
Chris Cody
Oh.
Stugotz
Oh.
Chris Cody
Got it.
Greg Cote
Last night, I hope. I hope that I'm wrong about this, but last night felt like the apex of the Knicks season because all of these injuries are going to be really tough to play with for the rest of the series. And if they somehow move on, playing against Boston with players that are going to have to contribute minutes that haven't played all season might be kind of tough, but last night was the apex because they won at MSG again against the Pacers. A tough game. And Josh Hart, who is your favorite Knicks fans favorite, Knick, had words to say to Reggie Miller.
Stugotz
I want to address basically everything that's happening there because I don't think New York understands that that's not the flex they think it is to remember how he tore your heart out with eight points in nine seconds 30 years ago.
Chris Cody
I don't want to hear about Reggie Miller. I mean, he has somehow inserted himself into this series. I am tired of Reggie Miller. Reggie Miller was 9 and 33 for his career on the road against the Knicks, he had nine seconds. Nine seconds. Take those nine Seconds away. And Reggie Miller, according to Dan, who was asked by Boogie at the Versace Mansion many, many years ago, Reggie Miller not a Hall of Famer.
David Samson
Great moment.
Chris Cody
I am tired of hearing about Reggie Miller inserting himself and I don't want the Knicks to focus on him anymore. It's over. It was 30 years ago. He's overrated. He had nine seconds again, nine and 33.
David Samson
Here's the thing though. The only thing you remember about Knicks Pacers are Pacer victories. Yeah. Nobody remembers about the Knicks doing anything good. He could be nine in a thousand. Nobody remembers about the Knicks winning any of those games.
Chris Cody
It was Reggie Miller.
David Samson
All those points in a few seconds and Patrick Ewing missing a layup. Pat Riley quits and comes to the Miami Heat. Let's get out of here, New York. Who cares?
Greg Cote
I mean, all I remember about the 90s is Michael Jordan. So this is like a real argument for second place place here in the East. But Reggie Miller was inserted by TNT onto this broadcast. This is usually just a two man crew.
David Samson
Yeah, he didn't just show up and say, I'm working tonight.
Greg Cote
And they were like, we're putting him on this broadcast even though it's at msg, fans are going to be furious about it. So Josh Hart was reminding him, hey, by the way, buddy, you're still not welcome here.
Roy Bellamy
They followed him down the tunnel like if he was playing in the game. You know how they do like the inserts of like here's Steph Curry walking to the Garden. It was like Reggie Miller about to broadcast.
Stugotz
What I'm telling you about New York advancing to this space that makes the sport better that they haven't been to in a long time is that you could rummage around and you have to rummage around to get the excellence out of the Knicks history into the past. And what you find, to me, if Reggie Miller is one of the great villains in the history of sports, what a compliment that you can't shut up about his nine seconds from 30 years ago. The dude's almost 60. The dude's almost 60. And a whole arena is chanting about how bad he made them feel 30 years ago.
Chris Cody
He's not even the best basketball player in his own family. I want to hear about it from Reggie Miller. I really thank you. Name another Reggie Miller moment. Go ahead, I dare you. Name one.
David Samson
When he pushed up Michael Jordan, he hit that three pointer and jumped around center courts.
Chris Cody
Good moment. He's in the hall of one moment. I mean, that's what he is.
Tony
The fight against Michael Jordan Stu Gatz.
Stugotz
Was going to make that whole of one moment joke, no matter how many examples you gave him the whole of nine seconds. I would love to have. If I were a villain and I did something and the middle of New York was singing my name 30 years later because of nine seconds of my villainy that I gave them.
Chris Cody
It was a tough nine seconds.
Stugotz
Holy shit. I mean, how memorable is that? I just can't think from any greater compliments that a sports villain can get than to make that arena feel for the first time like it felt back when you were playing because you're invested in stakes.
David Samson
It made every Nick fan hate Spike Lee. When it happened, everyone blamed Spike Lee.
Chris Cody
You're right. For.
David Samson
For Anthony Mason throwing the ball, for.
Stugotz
Inciting him, for pissing off Reggie Miller. The moment is. And Spike Lee showed up with his. Reggie Miller. Spike Lee showed up. I don't know how he got the contraband into the arena, given that James Dolan confiscates everything and suspends people with surveillance.
Chris Cody
Yeah. Breaking down something that happened 30 years ago. Wfat. That's what it is.
Stugotz
And so last night, Carlisle gets ejected and they have sent. I'm not making enough.
Chris Cody
I am.
Stugotz
I am not making this number up. They have sent 78 missed calls to the league office from the. From the first two games.
Chris Cody
Okay, that is unbelievable. I mean, Rick Carlisle, how about you spend some time. Stop cutting up tape. Stop looking through the film to find where the missed fouls were. How about you spend your time coaching your team, WFA T adjustments, anything.
David Samson
Who gets. Who gets the report? Like, all right, give it to that guy in the back to review these calls. Like, whose awful job is that to sift through 78 calls that Rick Carlisle. Not like our officials, that Rick Carlisle thinks is questionable. That's a. That's a shit.
Roy Bellamy
There's no way they actually review it. Right. They get that paper with all the links and they're like, just don't worry about it.
Stugotz
Send them an email back that you're. It's under consideration, under review, and just throw it in the. Throw it in the.
David Samson
We're investigating. They're investigating. That's what you say.
Stugotz
I do need to stop the guts on something, though, because whatever you think the differences are between Carlisle and Thibodeau, Carlisle before the last round hadn't won a playoff series. Since when? 2011. When was the last time that he won?
Roy Bellamy
They won the championship playoff series.
Stugotz
But whatever you think the difference is between Carlisle and Tibbs, when Stugat Said, says, how about you Coach your team. This is doing that. Sending. Trying to manipulate the officiating. When the officiating decided game one, Stu got. Yeah, trying to manipulate officiating. That is part of coaching.
Chris Cody
Now, coaching your team is playing T.J. mcConnell, who's been maybe your best player through the first two games. Play him in the second half. I mean, he's guarding Brunson better than anyone. Play him in the second half. I mean, listen, that's coaching your teeth.
David Samson
You're talking about TJ McConnell. I'm over there watching Posternach get punched in the face by. I mean, T.J. mcConnel. Who cares? I mean, you see how hard he hit.
Chris Cody
Talking hockey.
Tony
What are you talking about, man?
Stugotz
Come on.
David Samson
Knicks did not get a lot of love from me last night.
Stugotz
Panthers.
David Samson
Yes. Thank you, God.
Chris Cody
Thank you.
Stugotz
Look at Roy, buoyant and hungover. Has anyone in the history of the show showed up more for work hungover than Roy? Is he the league leader in the history of this show?
Tony
Chris Cody?
Stugotz
I don't know.
Jess
I don't.
Stugotz
I don't. He certainly hasn't. He certainly hasn't said it as often as you are. When I.
Jess
If it's not a school night, though, I'm getting after it.
Chris Cody
But right, Cody?
Stugotz
Greg. Cody's got some endurance. He doesn't come in. He doesn't come in broken from his dozen beers in the garage the night before. You're the amateur who comes in here perpetually broken because you don't know how to moderate your drink.
Tony
I just show up, Dan.
Stugotz
I know.
Chris Cody
I come here, man.
Stugotz
I know you come here, man, and you do so hungover more than anybody because they got drunk on goals last night.
Chris Cody
Oh, that was good. That's a good six pack, Dano.
Stugotz
And better than that, because Panther fans are gonna like this part. It's not just that you win 6:1, it's that you're actually winning the violence.
David Samson
Yes.
Stugotz
You won the stick your tongue out at them game.
David Samson
That's right, Monsore. I love you, baby.
Chris Cody
Yeah.
Tony
The thing was, though, it was Boston that resorted to thuggery, not Florida. It was Boston and he lost.
Stugotz
Boston started the thuggery. Florida finished the thuggery. But you guys were very excited by the tongue off.
David Samson
So good.
Stugotz
You're gonna explain it to Tony, please. Because Tony, every. Tony is learning everything. Tony, I need you to pay even just glancing attention to what's happening.
Roy Bellamy
Told you. No, me and Billy told you, don't worry about it until they get to the Stanley Cup Final. Then we're gonna get Locked in. But right now you're nuts.
David Samson
Not paying attention. There's so much fun stuff about that game last night. Monty sticking out his tongue at Marshawn last night. Posternach eating that fist. Oh, my God. How about that pasta knock? Did you see him when he turned around to his coach? He goes, can I fight? He asked his coach if he could fight. He asked him, oh, the mean guy, the bully on the other team. Am I allowed to fight? And then pop, planted him fist right in his mouth. Let me. Which camera? Which camera is that? Camera.
Chris Cody
Yeah.
David Samson
Listen, you want to fight someone, you fight me.
Stugotz
Really? Yeah. All right, which is more true here? That Zaslo sounds like maximum sports radio or with the backward cap and the entire look looks like somebody on spring break in Daytona Beach.
David Samson
All right, let's run back the clock here, baby.
Stugotz
He is Mad Dog before Mad Dog, because we've got Mad Dog coming on here on WFAT in about 25 minutes. You've never spoken to him?
David Samson
No, no, I have. I have several times.
Chris Cody
But you're very excited.
Stugotz
Yeah, but you and stug both have some. Some of the cadence copycatting that comes from knowing what it is. That Mad Dog was in sports radio back when he was inventing.
David Samson
He is a major influence on me.
Chris Cody
Yep.
Stugotz
The.
Tony
The funny thing about the tongue off, as you referenced, that is actually a troll because Brad Marshawn actually licked the play.
Stugotz
Yeah. He licked a guy last year, right?
Tony
No, it wasn't last year. A couple years ago, it was Ryan Callahan of the Rangers when he did that.
David Samson
The guy who was on the call last night.
Tony
Yeah, it was Ryan Colahan.
Stugotz
Yeah.
Jess
This is a rare thing that we saw last night because this is not just a regular fight. This is the best player on each team, which you rarely see fight. I mean, Tkachuk is like a. He's a.
David Samson
No, he's. He's an agitator, but he never fights.
Jess
And that one was so cool to.
Chris Cody
See because they liter.
Jess
They talked about it before. They're looking at each other on the bench, and it's like, you want to go?
Chris Cody
Let's go.
Jess
Oh, my God.
David Samson
Pretty please. Have you ever seen a player ask their coach for permission to fight? Here's permission to get knocked out. That's right.
Jess
So good.
Tony
I think it was the 11th and 12th misconduct that period. It was a fight.
Jess
They were handing out 10 minutes like candy.
Stugotz
Yeah.
Tony
Oh, man. It was just a sight to see, man. It was a beautiful game.
Chris Cody
But why are we getting a roy for celebrating? Because there are very few Things in life that are better than knotting up a series at one game a piece.
Tony
Oh, absolutely.
Chris Cody
Worthy of a celebration. Celebration.
David Samson
Panthers a little better when you're down.
Chris Cody
One nothing and you're not it up at one game of peace. That is worthy of a celebration.
Tony
It is.
Chris Cody
Kept your season alive.
Jess
Folks, listen up. The time has come to get some new golf clubs. And that means one thing. Heading over to my local PXG store for a fitting. They make the best golf clubs, period. Roy, I know you need new clubs, right? You're in that.
Tony
Yeah, I need new clubs, man. My clubs are way too short. I need to get longer clubs.
Stugotz
I need new.
Jess
The grips.
Roy Bellamy
Grips.
Jess
I'm telling you, Roy, you go over to pxg, within an hour, you will be out the door with their good staff. They're going to get you fitted. You're going to take multiple shots. They're going to get you set up with your woods, with your irons. They're going to get you the right grips, the perfect length clubs. I'm telling you, nothing fixes your golf game like getting fitted.
Tony
Oh, absolutely. I need to work on my short game. So these clubs are definitely.
Jess
I think you got to work on the whole game, not just the short.
Tony
Yeah, well, you know, I got a long drive, so.
Jess
PXG fitters are highly trained, incredibly experienced, and have a deep understanding of how to optimize your clubs to get the most out of your swing. PXG fittings are educational and fun. Schedule your fitting today and for a limited time you can save up to 20% on your entire order. Head over to pxg.com dan that's pxg.com dan to save up to 20% on your entire Order. Pxg.com dan restrictions apply. See site for details.
Dan LeBatard
Don Lebatard sub 500 seasons it's been lonely. Now the best players on our side been losing and losing for much too long. But now we're back with New York Pride.
Jorge Sedano
Stugats.
Dan LeBatard
Jaylen, you've got us on our feet. Jalen, we're gonna win the East. Jaylen, without Randall, we're still doing fin.
Stugotz
This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats. Can you guys help me manage one of these situations? Because I don't know how to do this in the modern age because I am just so tired after so many years of doing this, having all of the conversations around the refereeing and the officiating in the deciding of games. But when Carlisle gets ejected and they flood the league office with 78 complaints about missed calls through two games. I don't want to do wah wah from Knicks fans, which is what they'll do when the moment they lose a game late against Philadelphia, those fans will do the same thing. And then fans on the other side will do the wah wah. Stop with your whining and whimpering.
Chris Cody
He's feeding that narrative that the NBA is rigged. He's saying small markets should get the same chances, same opportunities as big markets.
David Samson
That's not what he's doing. He's. He's just setting up the calls for. For game three, going back to his building.
Chris Cody
I get it. Zazzle. There's no need to say it, though, Ricardo.
David Samson
No, there is need to say it. Who won a championship? It's human nature.
Chris Cody
He won a championship in market number five. Do me a favor. How have the Knicks been the last 30 years? How they been?
Stugotz
So. So are you not going to help Washington? You're not going to help me further this discussion because you want to keep doing the rinse, repeat of every time there's a call. We come on the next day and argue about the call. And we have the same argument for 25 years about this.
Chris Cody
I don't like it either, but Rick Carlis made a pretty crazy accusation after the game. I understand why he's doing it, but he's essentially saying he feels like the series is rigged.
Stugotz
But how do we do? How do I. And the. In the content business, the thing that I'm asking you about, because Jalen Brunson has become a genuine phenomenon.
David Samson
Good player.
Stugotz
He's not just a good player, he's a good player. Even though you're left to wonder, how does he do all of that? Given his size and speed, this is a little confusing. They're not physically gifts out there. That would suggest to me that when this guy comes back, stugach in the second half to MVP chant. I'm not joking when I say this. In that building.
Chris Cody
Yeah.
Stugotz
Moments like that, you got to go back 60 years for a fan base to fall in love with Willis Reed in the finals. Because what you're giving New York is the feeling of, wait, maybe with you, we can do this with you. Because of how tough you are, because of how much we love this team. Because you are a team that Knicks believe they will find a way no matter what the issue is because Josh Hart will play 48 minutes and Brunson will limp out of the locker room. And it's exactly the kind of team any fan base wants to have. The one that Gets swamped in the first half. Brunson goes to the locker room, fear sweeps through all of New York because he's going to be done for the playoffs. What does this mean? We've got no chance without him. And Anunobi, he's going to go for almost 30, and then he's out at the end of the game. And you withstand that, even though what's on your bench is Charlie Brown. A guy named Charlie Brown. And Alec Burks.
Chris Cody
Yeah, I love Alec Burks, though. He can give you 22 on any given night.
Stugotz
He gave you one minute last night.
Chris Cody
One minute.
Stugotz
But again, regular season, check out one minute last night. A single minute he gave you last night.
Chris Cody
Well, he'll play more minutes going forward here. I think Jess was right. We saw an apex last night because the Brunson story, his individual story, and the Knicks story somehow got better. Like, I didn't think that was possible, and somehow it got better. I have no idea how he injured his foot. I don't care if he injured his foot. If he purposely left in the second quarter to get that in the third quarter, good for Jalen Brunson. That is a heady play. But, Dan, the story got better last night.
Greg Cote
Couple of Knicks fans agreeing with each other.
Roy Bellamy
Yeah, I know what they're doing. I know what they're doing. I can see it now. They're talking about this being the apex of the season. Just setting it up for once. They beat Indy, heading over to Boston, maybe getting one on the road in Boston. All of a sudden, that becomes the apex of the season. So they're setting it up for down the road.
David Samson
I'll tell you what I thought was the biggest moment last night. Right at the end of the second when Forsling puts The Panthers up 3 1.
Chris Cody
Huge.
David Samson
That was a big moment.
Jess
I left my seat there because he literally scored with what, like, point three seconds?
Tony
1.3. Yeah.
Jess
And I admit I left my seat. I had to go.
Stugotz
Hold on, hold on.
Chris Cody
Get the.
Stugotz
Get the video. Get the Roy Bellamy tweet. I love how Roy tweets from games. You're saying right now that it's 1.3 seconds, but I saw on my timeline last night that Roy Bellamy tweeted that that happened with 0.3 seconds left. They added a second, but you didn't. Your tweet had 3/10 of a second.
Chris Cody
On it when he was drunk.
Tony
The clock said 0.3.
Jess
You got out there too quick with it.
Tony
No, it literally said 0.3.
Stugotz
Rather be first than yes, you are.
Tony
Absolutely Correct rather than first and right.
Chris Cody
Yeah.
David Samson
You wanted people to say Roy had it first.
Stugotz
Yes.
Chris Cody
Roy had what first?
Stugotz
He reported. Yes, but something wrong, Royce? Roy's tweets are one of the greatest things in the history of the written word and sports because he just tells you matter of factly, in Roy's total character, what just happened.
David Samson
Is he. Is he hockey? Magic Johnson.
Stugotz
Wait a minute. That's insulting.
Roy Bellamy
Thousand percent.
Greg Cote
That is not as enthusiastic. But I think Tony, since Tony hasn't been paying attention at all. I mean, what I do before I've.
Roy Bellamy
Been keeping an eye is I read.
Greg Cote
Roy's tweets because they're very informative and you will know exactly what happened in the game. All you need to do, you don't have to watch the game. Just read Roy's tweets and you will know. Listen to the hockey show also with Roy and David.
Roy Bellamy
That's on Fridays, though. This game was yesterday.
Greg Cote
That's true. But it will keep you informed week to week. And then you don't have to watch the games. You can just pay attention to whatever Roy says. Roy's doing a good job.
Roy Bellamy
He's doing 0.3 seconds left. Gustav forsling with a clapper to make it three. One Florida.
Stugotz
It says right there. Point three.
Roy Bellamy
That might as well be in Mandarin for me. I don't know who you want to.
Stugotz
Know is Gustav forcing one guy, two guys, one guy.
Roy Bellamy
Gustav passed a force sling with a clapper to make it through.
Stugotz
Like the bark off. Like the bark off line. Do you want what you want to know the definition? You want Roy's working definition with a.
Roy Bellamy
Clap of a clapper? Yeah. I have no idea is what it of this.
Tony
It's a slap shot.
Stugotz
Roy then later corrected clapper too. Roy then. Then later corrected. Make that 1.3. They put a second back on the clock.
David Samson
Oh, look at that. He changed it from a clapper to a bomb.
Dan LeBatard
Yeah.
Tony
You know multiple ways to describe a slap shot. And I went with an alternate way there.
Stugotz
Stugat. When a fan base falls in love with a team, there are multiple ways in basketball to fall in love. The best when you have the guy who scoring more than anyone else in the playoffs, which is what Brunson went into that game doing. But also, God almighty, do fans love this part of it when you don't know where you're going to get it from on a certain night. And then that guy does what Adenoby does in the first half, where you're like, wait a minute, that's not the offensive player. That he is. But they need it and you're getting it in different spots. Josh Hart in this postseason, I don't recognize this player. He is, he is not a 45% shooter from three and he's not something somebody who routinely scores 19 points a game. But if you look at his game logs, there are a lot of 17 rebound games in there.
Chris Cody
Yeah.
Stugotz
Josh Hart for, for a 210 pound guy is the, is exactly the kind of guy when Jessica says he's your favorite Knicks fan's favorite. Nick. He plays exactly. Him and Hartenstein play exactly the way you fall in love with the grit guys.
Roy Bellamy
He rebounds at a clip where he looks like he's 610.
Chris Cody
Yeah.
Roy Bellamy
And then you realize he's 6 4. He's just skying over bigs, over everybody to get rebounds. You can lock them in for double digit rebounds. Every single night from that position is crazy.
Chris Cody
He had 15 last night. He's been great. And Dan's right, like that's the beauty of this team. That's why we've fallen in love with this team. You're going to get what you're going to get from Jalen Brunson every single night. You have no idea who your number two is going to be on any given night.
David Samson
They're trying so hard.
Chris Cody
Yeah.
David Samson
The Knicks.
Chris Cody
Yeah. You only have five choices.
David Samson
The Miami Heat.
Chris Cody
Right.
David Samson
They're trying so hard.
Chris Cody
What are you talking about? The Heater out.
David Samson
We did this last year. We did the same thing. Everything you're saying right now, replace it with Heat players names. They're trying. So they saw what the Heat did. I say, man, I wish that was us. They're trying so hard to be the Miami Heat. That's what they're doing.
Roy Bellamy
He's right.
Jess
He's not wrong. Gabe Vincent and Max.
Chris Cody
No, he is wrong.
David Samson
Oh, Jalen Brunson, he's the best closer.
Chris Cody
He.
David Samson
We didn't know he was this good. Just replace everything you just said about Jalen Brunson with Jimmy Butler. Oh, yeah. You know he's 45 from 3. Okay. Replace the name with Jimmy Butler. It's the same. Every game's close. He'd pull it out. They had tons of threes. They play good defense, they play hard. Nobody thought they're as good. They wish they were the Miami Heat.
Chris Cody
We're going for the Heat. That's what you're saying.
David Samson
That's right.
Chris Cody
Really?
Stugotz
But.
David Samson
Well, a championship organization. Yeah. Like makes sense.
Chris Cody
Yeah.
David Samson
Could do a lot worse, right? Yeah. Like being the Knicks last 600 hard to do better.
Chris Cody
Yeah, you're right.
Stugotz
I'm really surprised that Zaslo doesn't have that old Knicks hatred in his gut.
Chris Cody
That because he hates Boston more.
Stugotz
Understood. But Boston didn't bring the physical fights. Boston didn't bring the opposing coaches hanging on to Alonzo Morning's ankle at the.
David Samson
Center of the I think yesterday was 25 yards. Years since Alan Houston. I think that was yesterday.
Chris Cody
Yeah.
David Samson
Rough day.
Stugotz
That, that shot that he's talking about is Pat Riley sobbing at his desk after that game, realizing he's got to blow up his whole team. Like in, in the locker room, that shot. And it's faded. But God, it's good to have him back. It is. I've missed them. It's decades of irrelevance, plural. I have missed this so much. This team mattering in this sport. The part that really messes with my mind, though I'm having difficulties with liking the actual players.
Dan LeBatard
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Stugotz
Don LeBatard for weeks, months even during.
Dan LeBatard
The regular season, I wondered aloud what Kevin Stendland did. And then about three weeks ago, it hit me.
Jorge Sedano
Stugats.
Stugotz
He gives him one of these and.
Roy Bellamy
He gives them one of those.
Stugotz
This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats. Tony, not that this is usually the subject matter that we have here on wfat, but what is your problem with the Catholic clergy?
Roy Bellamy
Oh, Dan, I thought you'd never ask me. So this goes back, the beef between me and the Catholic clergy goes back to Easter the day before Easter, right? So I'm at a Catholic service because my wife's cousin is getting married in the church. But they were doing it kind of different. Whatever. So we're at this huge Easter mass. And Dan, I don't know if you've ever been to an Easter mass before. They were getting all of the sacraments in at one time. So we had kids doing first communions. We have kids getting baptized that are like 2 years old. We have people getting a show.
Stugotz
It's a big show.
Roy Bellamy
It's like at four hour mass.
Stugotz
What? Which one's the big one, Christmas or Easter?
Roy Bellamy
Easter, from what I saw, Easter, because I was there for four hours.
Greg Cote
I thought they did it all the night before. Like the Easter vigil mass.
Roy Bellamy
Yeah, that's what I was like.
Greg Cote
So it was like, like Saturday night.
Roy Bellamy
Saturday night, exactly.
Greg Cote
Don't go to that. Rookie mistake.
Roy Bellamy
I was, I was promised, hey hour in and out. We're gonna see them tie the knot. Everything's great. I'll see you guys later. We're gonna go to the ale house, like whatever, right? So as, as I'm sitting there, our one goes through. They sing like 40 songs. Our three, like I'm at a place where I'm like, all right, we gotta get out of here.
Stugotz
But how many baptisms? You're saying it's all 20 baptisms, but it's confirmations, it's confusions. It's all.
Roy Bellamy
It's literally everything.
Greg Cote
All the converted Catholics also get confirmed, I believe. So there's, like, it's It' moment for.
Stugotz
You guys, but it's a clearance sale. Catholicism, like, it's just everything.
Roy Bellamy
It's everybody in one. Just. You're getting communions, you're getting little breads, you're getting. The babies are getting dunked in the thing. Old people are getting dunked in the thing. It was crazy, right? So they get to a point. Jess, maybe you can help me on what things are called, if I remember.
Greg Cote
I will try to help. I was just thinking about when you mentioned babies getting dunked in the baptismal font. I thought about during COVID when they were like, hey, this is like, we're going to get germs instead. We're going to spray these babies with, like, spray guns full of, like, baptism water. Holy water. Oh, man, those were crazy times.
Roy Bellamy
So, Dan, let me set the scene. There's 400 people in this church, right? It's kind of muggy, if you want to be honest. A little hot in there. They're singing songs, lights are going off, people standing up and down. Like, I'm not used to it, right? Whatever. I'm there just enjoying the ride. Just making sure that we watch. Which ends up being the very last thing, by the way.
Stugotz
But were you trying to do a move of go to the Saturday mass so that you get your Sunday for free? You get your.
Roy Bellamy
No, I still had to go Sunday.
Stugotz
Oh, you had to go.
Roy Bellamy
I still had to go Sunday. Yeah, I still had to go Sunday. This was more for. Hey, they're getting their marriage blessed. We have to go watch it. So the entire family's there, and at a certain point, they do it. They do the. The spritzing of the holy water for people, right? So people come up, they get the holy water all of a sudden.
Greg Cote
You mean, like, they, like, sprinkle it on you? It's not like they mix aperol into it. Just want to make it spritzing.
Stugotz
It's. It's with the chains and the.
Chris Cody
So.
Roy Bellamy
So all of a sudden, El papa, or whoever it was, the. The cur. The cardinal. I don't know the. The names of He.
Greg Cote
He's probably the bishop of the dynasty. So guessing.
Roy Bellamy
He gets like this. Like, Imagine, like, A mop, but like a little mop, right? It has like these, like, strings of yarn or whatever. So he's going around people and just kind of like. Like Petey Pablo putting her, you know, his shirt around his head, like a helicopter.
Stugotz
Yeah.
Roy Bellamy
So he's kind of doing it to people, whatever.
Stugotz
So.
Roy Bellamy
Yeah, right. So people are getting blessed with the holy water. Picture the. The church is almost like at a slant. So he's going upstairs and he's kind of stadium seating. Stadium seating. He's kind of like waving around. Like, everybody's like, yeah.
Greg Cote
And then you do the sign of the cross when the water hits you.
Roy Bellamy
So, yeah, this guy. I'm sitting at the edge top. Because we got there late. So I'm sitting at the edge top of the stadium seating. So he turns a corner, he looks at me. I'm standing there. We're all kind of standing. I'm there like, yeah, come on, let's make it happen. This guy cocks back, guys, I swear to you. He cocks back with the thing and goes.
Chris Cody
Really?
Roy Bellamy
When he hits me, guys, my glasses. It was like water pouring down my glasses. I had a green shirt on. The entire shirt.
Stugotz
You needed the entire shirt. He saw you standing up there with your fists on your heaven on your hips. He's like, that guy's got demons inside. I could see it, dude.
Roy Bellamy
He hit me with a gallon of water. Like, my glass. I needed, like, windshield wipers for my glasses. They were pouring. My entire family laughing.
Greg Cote
The water's, like, a little, like, kind of weird, right? Like, it has, like, a scent a little bit, like, inside.
Roy Bellamy
I took a shower in it.
Greg Cote
Yeah. So his thought process was probably like, this is someone who only comes to mass once every 10 years. So I'm going to give him enough holy water for the rest of his life because he may never come back after this.
Roy Bellamy
Dan. He hit me with such a stripe of water that I. It was. I was sitting underneath an air conditioning vent again, muggy, but, like, hot air hitting me. And it was just, my glasses are damp now.
Stugotz
You're damp and swampy sitting there.
Roy Bellamy
They do it again. Another guy comes by, about to do it, and I had to like. I'm like, I'm good. I'm good. So I don't know if I'll ever.
Stugotz
Extra unholy.
Greg Cote
It's like a brisket mop on a smoker.
Stugotz
Literally.
Roy Bellamy
That's exactly what it was with just holy water. Just absolutely smoked me. So I don't know if I'll ever go back. I have beef with the Catholic clergy. They're gonna have to make it up to me somehow. I don't know how, but we'll figure it out.
Tony
He hit him harder with that water than Kenchuck hit him. Hit pasta with that punch last night.
Roy Bellamy
It hit me like, 90 miles an hour. He cocked back with, like, a crow H in the little dress like he cocked back.
Greg Cote
And just when I was a child and we had to go to mass once a week. And they. They only do the holy water thing on holy days, I believe, or on special occasions, because it's not a thing that they do in every Mass. And I remember always feeling like I got cheated if I didn't get a little splash of the holy water. Because everyone else would be getting, like, a little splash. And then you do it. And then I would just. Sometimes you'd just be sitting there. You'd be like, I didn't get any.
Stugotz
That's right.
Greg Cote
What happens now?
Roy Bellamy
I'll bring you my shirt. You can bring it out. It's still soaked.
Stugotz
Well, Tony's got enough so that on average, over a lifetime, he'll be okay. Even if he never happens to him again. It's the way that Josh Hart has played an average of 48.2 minutes in the last five games. Even though they've only had one overtime game, he's playing more than 48 minutes per game. Stu got so he's been great.
Chris Cody
Thank you for bringing it back to the Knicks. To the Mecca. That's the place where I observe my religion. Let's take some phone calls here in wfa.
Stugotz
Our callers are doing our jobs for free.
Chris Cody
Let's go to Vinny on a car phone. Vinny, go ahead.
Jorge Sedano
Hey, guys. I love wfat. You guys are the fattest. The fattest. What a night. Last night. I mean, when Jalen Brunson came out at halftime and I heard him MVP chants, I was fundamentally altered as a human being. I will never be the same again. Unless we lose game three, then we are chokers and deserve to die.
Tony
I thought that was Ric Flair. That sounds just like Ric Flair.
Chris Cody
Vinny's right, though.
Stugotz
I mean, you know, you want to take more callers?
Chris Cody
I do.
Stugotz
We're taking callers now.
Chris Cody
Wfat. Yeah. Big Nick game last night. Let's take one more here. Let's go to. Let's go to Mike in the Bronx. Go ahead, Mike.
Jorge Sedano
Hey, guys, thanks for taking my call. This team, man. I mean, come on. No Julius Randle? I was there. No Mitchell Robinson? No whichever Bogdanovich is the one that we got no Edinobee by the fourth quarter. I mean, no Brunson in the second quarter. I'm at the guard, they run. Hey, they ran out of hot dogs. By the third quarter, no pretzels. I tracked these concessions. I ate a lot during the game. No pretzels. By the end of the game, they ran out of seltzer. All right, I mean, I had seltzer, but not like the cherry kind that I like. I mean, his team, not to start this team, nothing. We had nothing. We had nothing. Nobody in the stands had to pay somebody. Other guys, I don't want to put them with nothing.
Stugotz
Taking calls. Taking calls.
David Samson
Can I just say, as someone who is here on WFAT for the first time.
Chris Cody
Yeah.
David Samson
I mean, can you explain to me how embarrassed you think David Posternak is that he had to ask his coach if he could fight and then he got knocked out and then he had to leave the game. How embarrassed do you think he was?
Chris Cody
Kachucko dented his fan, his face. Excuse me. I butchered that Jesus like Tom Thibodex. Let's take a call. Wfat.
Stugotz
Please. No more calls, please.
Jorge Sedano
Hey guys, thanks for taking my call. I thought, I thought we showed Reggie Murray last night with that chant. I mean, we got his ass. I was there. We heckled a nearly 60 year old man. We proved to him, to the world that 30 years later, we still remember how he took our choking dog, Nicks with eight points in nine seconds. And people who did not know that or weren't old enough, who weren't born yet, we taught a whole new generation. We're losers. What Losers? We used to be.
Chris Cody
Ah.
Jorge Sedano
You know, the tabloids, they blame Spike Lee for the weak, for heckling them and making them sodomize us like that. He, I tell you what, he inflicted a pain that we handed down to the kids. It was, what was it? Three decades ago. But we chanted, had him in a sing song way back then. And now I feel better. Even though 30 years ago that was apparently one of the highlights of his life and one of the definitely worst moments of our lives. I mean, it had to be one of the worst things to ever happen to a New York sports team. Had to be. I mean, Reggie used to say, I remember this, he loved being a villain. He enjoyed that. The quiet he inflicted on the road even more than a roar of a home crowd. So, you know, I'm sure he was deeply insulted by us remembering what he did to us three, three decades ago. We got him good. I'm Gonna hang up on this.
Stugotz
I don't want to take any more calls. Stugots. You say that on a day like today, all you do is open up the phone lines and go lazy sports radio person. And I don't get two minutes with a 20 share. I know. Well, you killed two minutes. But it wasn't any good, so. Any good.
Roy Bellamy
That was excellent call. I don't know what he said, but.
Chris Cody
It was great New York.
Greg Cote
I mean, I think the last one.
Stugotz
Was my old neighbor, the. I had forgotten that part that Reggie Miller says that he always enjoyed a quiet road crowd more than even the cheers of a home crowd. Chipper Jones used to say the same thing about doing that to Shea Stadium. So, yeah, if you, if that's something that you enjoy. Reggie Miller leaves that arena last night like he's just imbibed from a fountain of youth. No.
Chris Cody
He had 45 chances to enjoy that feeling. He did it 12 times.
David Samson
I think he. I think he feels alive when he leaves that building last night. Right. Like they're searching for that rush again after they retire. I feel like he feels alive. He's. I feel like he thinks he's in the series. Yeah, he, he, he's. He's in it now.
Stugotz
I will, I will tell you guys that all of these athletes who leave SP have such a hard time because there's nothing like playing in the center of that pressurized madness. When they get to the sidelines, JJ Redick will look for whatever it is that he will find later in his career. It'll never feel like that. There is no such thing. You'll get near it. You'll be on the sidelines. You'll coach and won't have control. But being in the middle of it, there's nothing like it. But if you can be to the side of the stage and feel like you're in the middle of it, you can't give Reggie Miller a greater compliment on what his career was that never won anything. A career that didn't get to the finals but once. Right? One time got to the finals half as much as Jimmy Butler in the last few years. Reggie Miller. And to have that all resurrected for you because at one time, maybe the last time the Knicks mattered like this, honestly, maybe the last time. It's probably been this long since the Knicks felt this kind of good.
Chris Cody
Maybe, Lynn, maybe not.
David Samson
2000 was the last time they mattered. And they lost the pacers that year, 2000.
Stugotz
Okay. But mattered like this. When they're coming off of the Pat riley interrupting the O.J. simpson finals, John Starks going 2 for 18 and then Riley goes to Miami and all of the balance of the conference changes. This is a different time, like when you can combine all of these elements. Dugatz that the team is an underdog. It's cool and lovable and you get the nostalgia of I'm gonna go grab some of the stories so that I can remember what it was like like to play. The Davis brothers.
Chris Cody
Forgot about those guys. Antonio and Dale, a different time.
Stugotz
Could not play today. Neither one of them don't have range in their offensive game. They were just muscle.
Dan LeBatard
Dan wouldn't understand this. He's busy running a content circus. But if you're actually running a business, then you know hiring the right people isn't just important important. It's everything. And that's why LinkedIn Jobs is an absolute game changer for small business owners. You're juggling payroll, logistics, maybe even mopping the floors before you open. You don't have time for flaky resumes, ghosted interviews, or job boards that feel like a black hole. When it's time to hire, you need a partner who grinds just like you. LinkedIn. They don't sleep. You clock out. They clock in. They'll help you write the job post quickly and clearly promote it. You'll get three times more qualified applicants. Not a guess. Real data. And Once it's live, LinkedIn helps you amplify it by sharing it with your network. You can even add that hiring frame to your profile, which doubles the number of qualified candidates you're likely to see. This is built for business owners who care about getting it right. Post your job for free@LinkedIn.com dls that's LinkedIn.com dls to post your job for free, terms and conditions apply.
Release Date: May 26, 2025
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Chris Cody, David Samson, Greg Cote, Roy Bellamy, Tony, Jess
The episode kicks off with an in-depth analysis of the New York Knicks' recent performances. The hosts delve into the team's resilience despite ongoing injuries and challenges.
Josh Hart's Stamina:
Stugotz highlights Hart's remarkable endurance, stating, âJosh Hart playing more minutes than Wilt Chamberlain. Like, think about that for a second. I mean, that's classic Thibodeau, right?â [03:31]. This sentiment underscores Hartâs pivotal role in the team's dynamics.
Jalen Brunson's Impact:
Stugotz praises Brunson, describing him as a âgenuine phenomenonâ and an MVP-caliber player who elevates the team's performance [18:25]. Chris Cody echoes this by noting, âHe is the best closer. We didn't know he was this good,â emphasizing Brunson's clutch performances [25:06].
Coaching Strategies and Officiating Concerns:
The discussion turns to Coach Rick Carlisleâs aggressive approach in officiating disputes. Stugotz expresses frustration, âWhen Carlisle gets ejected and they flood the league office with 78 complaints about missed calls through two games⊠Stop with your whining and whimperingâ [16:33]. This segment highlights the tension between coaching strategies and game officiating.
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around historical moments that have shaped Knicks fans' sentiments, particularly focusing on Reggie Miller's infamous game.
Reggie Miller's Legacy:
Stugotz reflects on Millerâs enduring presence in fans' memories: âwhat a compliment that you can't shut up about his nine seconds from 30 years agoâ [07:25]. The hosts recount Millerâs critical moments against the Knicks, emphasizing the deep-rooted rivalry and its lasting impact on the fanbase.
Fan Reactions and Generational Impact:
Callers share their experiences and how past events like Millerâs actions have influenced newer generations of fans. Jorge Sedano passionately states, âWe got him good. I'm gonna hang up on thisâ [37:56], illustrating the visceral reactions still prevalent among fans decades later.
The hosts celebrate standout performances and unforgettable moments from recent games.
Josh Hart's Performance:
Emphasizing Hart's contributions, Chris Cody praises, âHe had 15 last night. He's been great,â underscoring Hartâs consistent impact on the court [24:16].
Fight and Physical Play:
The episode recounts intense moments from recent games, including a notable fight where David Samson describes, âAdele knocks anyone who tries to start somethingâ [12:34]. This segment highlights the physical intensity and competitive spirit within the games.
Gustav Forsling's Decisive Shot:
A dramatic moment is discussed where Roy Bellamy details Forslingâs critical shot: âGustav forsing one guy, two guys, one guyâ [22:37], capturing the game's high stakes and pivotal plays.
The hosts engage in debates over coaching decisions and their implications on the team's future.
Rick Carlisle vs. Tom Thibodeau:
Stugotz draws comparisons between the two coaches, questioning their strategies and effectiveness: âSend them an email back that you're. It's under consideration, under reviewâ [09:43]. The discussion points to differing coaching philosophies and their impact on the team's performance.
Player Utilization and Team Strategy:
The conversation touches upon optimal player rotations and strategies to maximize team performance. Stugotz suggests, âPlay TJ McConnell in the second half. He's guarding Brunson better than anyoneâ [10:28], advocating for strategic adjustments to leverage player strengths.
Listeners contribute their thoughts and experiences, enriching the discussion with diverse perspectives.
Vinny's Enthusiasm:
Jorge Sedano shares his exhilaration over Brunson's MVP chants, stating, âWhen Jalen Brunson came out at halftime and I heard him MVP chants, I was fundamentally altered as a human beingâ [35:36]. His passionate endorsement reflects the growing excitement among fans.
Mike's Game-Day Observations:
Another caller, Mike from the Bronx, criticizes the team's performance and game-day experience: âNo Julius Randle? I was there. No Mitchell Robinson?... By the end of the game, they ran out of seltzerâ [36:14]. His feedback provides insight into fan frustrations and areas for improvement.
The hosts reminisce about the Knicks' past glories and discuss the team's potential trajectory.
Nostalgia for Past Eras:
Stugotz wistfully recalls the era when the Knicks were formidable, mentioning legends like Willis Reed and the Davis brothers: âWhen a fan base falls in love with a team... Itâs the kind of team any fan base wants to haveâ [25:29]. This reflection serves to bridge the past achievements with current aspirations.
Future Outlook:
The conversation concludes with optimism about the team's prospects, fueled by key players' performances and a rekindled sense of pride among the fanbase: âThat's why we've fallen in love with this team. You have no idea who your number two is going to be on any given nightâ [24:41].
Stugotz on Josh Hart:
âJosh Hart playing more minutes than Wilt Chamberlain. Like, think about that for a second.â [03:31]
Stugotz on Jalen Brunson:
âHe's not just a good player, he's a good player.â [18:25]
Chriç Cody on Reggie Miller:
âI am tired of hearing about Reggie Miller inserting himself and I don't want the Knicks to focus on him anymore.â [05:52]
Stugotz on Team Resilience:
âWe come back from all odds. We can overcome anything with our heart.â [03:31]
Roy Bellamy on Forsling's Shot:
âGustav Forsling with a clapper to make it three. One Florida.â [22:29]
In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, the hosts provide a comprehensive and passionate analysis of the New York Knicks' current season. Through a blend of player highlights, historical reflections, and engaging fan interactions, they craft a narrative of resilience and optimism. Notable discussions around key players like Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson, coupled with nostalgic references to past rivalries, offer listeners both depth and entertainment. The episode encapsulates the fervor of Knicks fans and the dynamic strategies shaping the team's journey, making it a must-listen for enthusiasts eager to stay connected with the pulse of New York basketball.