The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz: "The Big Suey: Heavy D & The Boyz" (Feat. Eric Collins) – March 9, 2026

Episode Overview

Live from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and their crew deliver another colorful, insightful episode blending deep-dive NBA talk, comedic detours, and cultural commentary. This "Big Suey" episode centers around an exuberant interview with Eric Collins, the high-energy voice of the Charlotte Hornets, before transitioning into a wide-ranging debate on NBA stars, the meaning of caring in pro basketball, and Victor Wembanyama's arrival as a transformative force.

1. HIGHLIGHT: The Eric Collins Interview (00:37 – 14:14)

The Joy of Calling Hornets Basketball

• Eric Collins joins to discuss his infectious energy on broadcasts and the surprising success of the current Charlotte Hornets.
• The episode opens with a montage of Collins’ famous play-by-play calls—full of signature phrases and uncontainable excitement.
• Dan asks Eric about the origins of his famous catchphrase, "hum diddly D."
  • Eric Collins [03:06]: “I used to play high school basketball and I was big into Heavy D and the Boyz...it always began with hum diddly diddly diddly diddly dee...and every once in a while a nice play would happen and I'd say hum diddly dee out loud. Years later when I got a job in the NBA, it just kind of became my thing, but that's the genesis of it. It's a Heavy D and the Boyz reference.”
  • A playful realization: none of the current NBA players seem to get the Heavy D reference.

On the Hornets’ Recent Surge

• Discussion around the Hornets’ impressive 16-5 stretch and what’s changed compared to previous eras.
  • Collins credits Lamelo Ball’s evolution, but especially the new addition of Kon Knipple as a game-changer:
  • Eric Collins [04:55]: “Lamelo is the straw that stirs the drink. But the help he’s getting has allowed him to flourish...Kon [Knipple] has made everything a little better just because the gravity of who he is as a player, the attention that he commands, his ability to be a second ball handler and creator.”
• Dan describes Lamelo as “immature,” but Eric defends him, noting visible maturity and growth, especially in the past two months.

The Sudden Rise of Kon Knipple

• Eric admits he didn’t expect Knipple to have this big of an impact, but praises his intelligence, shooting, and ability to elevate teammates.
  • Eric Collins [06:35]: “He is a real player. He understands where to be on the floor, he elevates the level of everyone he's playing with.”
• On favorite names to call, Collins says he’ll always find a way to say “Sandro Mamukeleshvili” just because he’s mastered it ([07:51]).

Greatest Hornets Memory and Franchise Lore

• Eric picks Alonzo Mourning’s series-winner against Boston in the early '90s as the greatest franchise moment ([08:25]).
• Discussion of “Purple Shirt Guy” and the infamous 2016 playoff series with the Miami Heat. Collins describes Charlotte as “a genteel city” where the guy “disappeared in shame” for his antics against Wade ([09:52]):
  • Eric Collins: “We don’t do certain things in Charlotte, North Carolina...I think the locals thought that, you know, we don't need any of that.”

Michael Jordan, Ownership, and the Franchise’s Future

• Respect remains for MJ, but Collins thinks the change to a younger, analytics-driven front office has energized the franchise ([10:51]).
• Praises the trade for Coby White, emphasizing the smart, needs-based approach taking root: “It’s been a massive shot in the arm.”
• Dan asks (jokingly) if they can “trick” the front office into taking back Terry Rozier. Collins instantly: “No. Sorry. He's all yours.” ([12:22])

The Legend of Eric Collins’ Energy

• Collins shares that he literally jumps out of his seat about six times a game and, while the road crowds sometimes glare at him, he’s proud to entertain ([13:11]):
  • Eric Collins: “People think that I’m kind of a nutso on the sidelines, but who cares?”

2. NBA TALK: The Culture of Caring and Wemby’s Emotional Ascendancy (16:45 – 34:55)

Fixing the All-Star Game, Superstar Apathy, and Wemby’s Passion

• Dan and the crew pivot to the perpetual issue of lackluster All-Star games and ideas to incentivize player involvement ([16:45]).
• The conversation deep-dives into the emotional aftermath of Victor Wembanyama’s improbable Spurs comeback and his public display of emotion—crying after a big win:
  • Dan Le Batard [18:59]: “I was legitimately stunned to see Wemby exhausted, crying on the court because he cares like that. And it buys him so much...Do you know how rare it is for somebody who's not an American basketball player to take the path of Face of the League?”
• Panelists express admiration for Wemby's visible passion, contrasting it with the perceived “too cool” demeanor of many modern stars:
  • Stugotz [19:16]: "I love it....My biggest criticism for the last however many years of the NBA...is that they don’t care. Because they don’t. And then also be critical because this player right here is... crying after a win against an under-.500 team in March. Like, you can’t play both sides like that. I love that he cares."

The Face of the League: Why Wemby Is Different

• Discussion on how stars like Jokic, despite their talent, never truly become the league’s “face” because their personality or visible emotion is lacking ([19:16–21:01]).
• Dan [21:01]: “He is going to save this league. He’s not jaded yet as a superstar.”
• Stugotz [21:56]: “Wemby is doing something for this league that is rarely seen.”

On Physical Outliers and Narrative

• Dan reflects on how basketball narratives are shaped, lamenting how true giants like Kareem and Shaq rarely get popular credit for their dominance, and suggesting Wemby could break that tradition ([22:37]).
• Dan: “You’re not noticing that he’s got an unfair advantage over everybody...If he cares like this and stays healthy, he’s too tall to play against.”

What Does It Mean to Care in the NBA?

• The roundtable debates whether today’s stars truly “care” as much as prior generations, or just in different ways—highlighting stars like Jimmy Butler, Kawhi, Giannis, Durant, and Embiid ([24:09–28:42]).
  • Dan [25:31]: “You can’t do what those people do for a living and not care at all. It’s just not possible.”
  • Jeremy [27:08]: “What we’re seeing ... is you’re looking at an individual who has an opportunity to be one of the greatest individual players of all time. But what he cares about is the collective right from the jump of his career. And that’s rare.”

Wemby’s Emotional Honesty as a Model

• Dan and the panel assert that Wemby’s “rare” ability to care deeply and show it publicly is refreshing and much-needed for the current NBA climate ([28:42–30:13]):
  • Stugotz [28:20]: “You have a generation of superstar...Why aren't you having fun? This is games. ...So to see the optimism that is very clear along Wemby...It’s a breath of fresh air.”
  • The hope: Others will follow his example.

The Schedule, Fatigue, and Systemic Issues

• Dan urges fans to remember the grueling NBA travel schedule and its toll on players (referencing the pandemic/bubble as the best basketball due to rest), and reminds everyone that the de-valuing of the regular season is often an organizational issue, not just on players ([32:30–34:13]):

  • Dan: “The past did us no favors by making 82 games a regular thing ... Systemically they’re allowing guys to take off who are making a bunch of money because they’re trying to protect their bodies.”

• Topping it off with a final thought for the fans:

  • Stugotz [34:52]: “In a world full of Kawhi’s, be a Wemby.” (Put it on the poll!)

3. Memorable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Moment | |-----------|--------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:06 | Eric Collins | “It's a Heavy D and the Boyz reference... become my thing.” | | 04:55 | Eric Collins | “Lamelo is the straw that stirs the drink. ...Kon [Knipple] has made everything a little better...” | | 07:51 | Eric Collins | “I will find a way virtually every two or three broadcasts...to say Sandro Mamukeleshvili...” | | 08:25 | Eric Collins | “Alonzo Mourning hit a jump shot in the second round...to eliminate the Celtics...” | | 09:52 | Eric Collins | (On Purple Shirt Guy): “No one knows. ...And I think a lot of hardcore Hornets fans thought...dude you cost us a win, man.” | | 13:11 | Eric Collins | “It’s probably six times a game...People think I’m kind of a nutso on the sidelines, but who cares?” | | 18:59 | Dan Le Batard| “I was legitimately stunned to see Wemby exhausted, crying on the court because he cares like that…” | | 21:01 | Dan Le Batard| “He is going to save this league. He’s not jaded yet as a superstar.” | | 21:56 | Stugotz | “Wemby is doing something for this league that is rarely seen.” | | 27:08 | Jeremy | “What he cares about is the collective right from the jump of his career. And that’s rare.” | | 34:52 | Stugotz | “In a world full of Kawhi’s, be a Wemby.” |

4. Segment Timestamps Guide

• [00:37–14:14] — Eric Collins interview (Hornets history, broadcast style, franchise memories)
• [16:45–34:55] — NBA star culture, Wemby’s passion & impact, debate over “caring” in modern NBA

5. Takeaways & Episode Tone

• The tone is playful, irreverent, thoughtful, and occasionally combative—trademark Dan Le Batard Show energy.
• Eric Collins stands out for his unbridled passion and insight, with the gang delighting in his quirks and storytelling.
• The panel’s discussion sets up a robust debate about NBA stars’ motivations, how fan expectations shift, and why someone like Victor Wembanyama can capture the imagination of both hardcore and casual fans.
• The show ends with a call for more players like Wemby—those who care, try, and bring joy to the game.

For more, listen for:

• Eric Collins narrating his own highlight calls ([02:07–02:53])
• Spirited banter about 'problem child' narratives in sports ([05:54])
• The perennial question: How do you fix the NBA’s image problem with regular season apathy?
• A reminder that, yes, in a world full of Kawhis, maybe the NBA really does need more Wembys.