The Big Suey: The Age of the Curmudgeon

Summary

Detailed Summary of "The Big Suey: The Age of the Curmudgeon" Episode

Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode Title: The Big Suey: The Age of the Curmudgeon
Release Date: February 3, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled "The Big Suey: The Age of the Curmudgeon," hosts Dan LeBatard, Stugotz, Mike Ryan, Roy Bellamy, and Jessica engage in a spirited discussion about recent developments in the NBA, focusing primarily on controversial trades, player performances, and the evolving dynamics of team management. The conversation is marked by a critical examination of the current state of the league, highlighting frustrations from both the hosts and the fanbase.

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The Controversial NBA Trade: A "Nothing Trade"

The episode centers around a significant NBA trade that the hosts unanimously deem as a "nothing trade." They dissect the trade's components, questioning its validity and long-term implications for the teams involved.

• Mike Ryan initiates the critique, stating:
  [05:00] “This is a nothing trade between two teams that aren't going to do anything.”

• Roy Bellamy echoes the sentiment, comparing it unfavorably to historic trades:
  [07:06] “This is not a trade like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Moses Malone. This is a trade again with two middling teams and two superstars who barely play.”

• Jessica expresses her disbelief and frustration:
  [07:36] “I don't want him. And the Knicks don't want him. I wouldn't want any of those players.”

The hosts agree that the trade lacks substantial impact, serving more as a headline grabber rather than a move that genuinely strengthens either franchise.

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Player Performance and Public Perception

A significant portion of the discussion delves into individual player performances, with a particular focus on Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic. The hosts debate the balance between talent and reliability, questioning whether star players are living up to their potential.

• Mike Ryan criticizes Anthony Davis's consistency and injury history:
  [03:10] “Anthony Davis's reputation, historically, him playing in this age, winning only one championship as kind of like a freak of nature.”

• Dan LeBatard adds to the critique by addressing media influence:
  [04:30] “It's not just the game, though. It's like the whole all different events. They've made it very silly and they're not taking it as seriously now.”

• Jessica contrasts Davis with younger players like Doncic:
  [35:20] “Now he is Anthony Davis an old 31. He's a very 31 and 11 month year old.”

The hosts are divided on Davis, acknowledging his talent but questioning his commitment and durability compared to rising stars like Doncic.

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The Influence of LeBron James and Conflict of Interest

LeBron James's role both on and off the court is a recurring theme. The hosts discuss his influence over team decisions, potential conflicts of interest, and the broader implications for team dynamics.

• Mike Ryan explores LeBron's business relationships:
  [08:33] “Rich Paul is going to air. On whose side Rich Paul is going to air as they take Anthony Davis from here to here to make LeBron better.”

• Roy Bellamy points out the complexities of agent-player relationships:
  [16:15] “LeBron James is going to pretend at the end that, oh, I got Luka Doncic, my least favorite player.”

• Dan LeBatard questions the transparency and fairness:
  [10:34] “I mean, I will not stand for this.”

The conversation highlights concerns about how influential figures like LeBron and his agent, Rich Paul, can sway team decisions, potentially disadvantaging other key players and affecting the league's competitive balance.

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Emotional Impact on Fans and Regional Pride

The hosts delve into the emotional bond fans have with their teams and players, discussing how trades and player movements can deeply affect fan morale and regional pride.

• Mike Ryan emphasizes the emotional distress caused by unfavorable trades:
  [25:03] “Oh, this hurts. It hurts. It's an emotional thing.”

• Jessica shares personal sentiments as a Mavericks fan:
  [31:29] “I feel bad for Mavs fans. This might be it for me.”

• Roy Bellamy reflects on historical fan-player relationships:
  [34:44] “When they made that trade, though, the Marlins with Cabrera, what they got back was Burke Badenhop.”

The discussion underscores the profound connection fans feel towards their teams and the impact that management decisions can have on their loyalty and passion for the sport.

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Critique of Team Management and Future Outlook

The episode critiques how NBA teams are managed, particularly focusing on the responsibilities of General Managers (GMs) in balancing short-term gains with long-term team stability.

• Stugotz questions GM priorities:
  [28:11] “What is a GM's responsibility to an organization in terms of how far to look ahead?”

• Mike Ryan criticizes the valuation of veteran players:
  [35:11] “They traded veteran players for limited returns hampers the team's prospects.”

• Roy Bellamy suggests strategic trade approaches:
  [37:02] “You have to get the right pieces for Steph or allow Steph to go somewhere where the right pieces already exist.”

The hosts express frustration with management strategies that prioritize immediate attention-grabbing moves over building a sustainable and successful team structure, fearing such practices undermine the league's integrity and competitiveness.

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Comparisons to Other Sports and Historical Trades

In an effort to contextualize the current NBA climate, the hosts draw parallels with trades and management practices in other sports, highlighting a trend towards short-termism and commercialism.

• Mike Ryan references past baseball trades:
  [30:29] “We've had one in this market. Miguel Cabrera and Babe.”

• Jessica mentions hockey and the lack of comparable impactful trades:
  [30:59] “Sidney Crosby has been rumored. But that won't do it.”

The conversation suggests that the NBA is not alone in its challenges, but also indicates that other sports may handle similar issues with varying degrees of success and fan engagement.

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Conclusion

"The Big Suey: The Age of the Curmudgeon" presents a critical examination of the NBA's current state, emphasizing frustrations with recent trades, player performances, and management strategies. The hosts advocate for more thoughtful and impactful decisions that honor both the athletes' abilities and the fans' emotional investments. The episode serves as a call for the league to prioritize long-term success and integrity over fleeting headlines and commercial gains.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike Ryan:
  [05:00] “This is a nothing trade between two teams that aren't going to do anything.”

• Roy Bellamy:
  [07:06] “This is not a trade like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Moses Malone.”

• Jessica:
  [07:36] “I don't want him. And the Knicks don't want him. I wouldn't want any of those players.”

• Mike Ryan:
  [03:10] “Anthony Davis's reputation, historically, him playing in this age, winning only one championship as kind of like a freak of nature.”

• Dan LeBatard:
  [04:30] “It's not just the game, though. It's like the whole all different events. They've made it very silly and they're not taking it as seriously now.”

• Mike Ryan:
  [25:03] “Oh, this hurts. It hurts. It's an emotional thing.”

• Roy Bellamy:
  [34:44] “When they made that trade, though, the Marlins with Cabrera, what they got back was Burke Badenhop.”

• Stugotz:
  [28:11] “What is a GM's responsibility to an organization in terms of how far to look ahead?”

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This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting the key discussions, critiques, and emotional undertones that define "The Big Suey: The Age of the Curmudgeon." It provides a clear and engaging overview for listeners who have not tuned in, encapsulating the hosts' perspectives on pivotal NBA issues.

Transcript

[Dan LeBatard]

You're listening to Giraffe Kings Network. Yeah, sure thing. Hey, you sold that car yet?

[Stugotz]

Yeah, sold it to Carvana.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, I thought you were selling to that guy.

[Stugotz]

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

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, no.

[Stugotz]

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

[Dan LeBatard]

Just like that?

[Mike Ryan]

Yep.

[Dan LeBatard]

No hassle?

[Mike Ryan]

None.

[Dan LeBatard]

That is super convenient. Sell your car to Carvana and swap. Hassle. For convenience. Pickup fees may apply.

[Stugotz]

You know that sound? It's the sound of money hitting your Venmo account. A friend paying you back. Or maybe it's getting cash back from your favorite business when you pay with the Venmo debit card. Or it's realizing you can pay with Venmo at checkout at thousands of brands. Now there are so many more ways to answer the question. What's your Venmo? Download Venmo today. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A. pursuant to license by MasterCard International Incorporated. DOSH cashback terms apply.

[Roy Bellamy]

Welcome to the Big Sui presented by DraftKings.

[Mike Ryan]

Why are you listening to this show.

[Roy Bellamy]

The podcast that seems very similar to the other Dan LeBatard podcast? I'm sorry. I'm not going to apologize for that. In fact, the only difference seems to be this imaging.

[Mike Ryan]

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.

[Roy Bellamy]

I've done it. And now here's the marching man to Nowhere Fat Face and the Habitual Liar.

[Stugotz]

This episode of the Dan LeBatard show with Stugots is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings. The Crown is yours.

[Mike Ryan]

Let me entertain something that I had not considered, which is Jessica saying, no. She loves the Pro Bowl. She's down here for 7365 or whatever that was yesterday and put it on the poll at LeBatard show. Are you a fan of the Pro Bowl? I thought I. I was of the opinion that when you're. When you're watching so many people not trying, that that's not what people want today with their sport. So it can be fun. But I may be missing the mark on that one because I just assumed that the exhibition. We don't have the attention span anymore for games that don't have stakes, that if. Unless you turn it into a giant party, a giant entertainment vehicle, we don't have the attention span anymore to sit around a television watching your exhibition games.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's not just the game, though. It's like the whole all different events. Like, they've made it very silly and they're not taking it as seriously now. And I think it works because I think you're getting to see a lot of players personalities. It's like, oh, and like, you know, I said earlier, it's like my. My Buccaneers friends are hanging out with my 49ers friends. Like, that's so cute. They're all. Everyone's having such a good time together.

[Stugotz]

It's not sexy for a podcast, but can it just be fine? It's fine. It's good background television. You throw it on.

[Dan LeBatard]

Exactly. You don't have to talk about it.

[Stugotz]

Do some errands around the house. Peyton and Eli are being. Oh, you're gonna lose. No, you're gonna lose.

[Jessica]

I like that. We're not complaining about it anymore.

[Stugotz]

So Dan just kind of.

[Jessica]

Well, I know it's an upgrade over what we had before because Dan tried.

[Dan LeBatard]

To cancel it, like 20 minutes.

[Mike Ryan]

I just cancel all exhibitions. I just thought we'd gone. Look, the NBA's got a problem with its exhibition because it was such a sacred thing once upon a time. And now this is something that I want to actually talk about. Stugats. Because Anthony Davis's reputation, historically, him playing in this age, winning only one championship as kind of like a freak of nature. Right on the cusp of. Whoa, the sport changed right there. Guys that big shouldn't be able to play like that. For him to get dragged as less than as. You have to make an argument for why he's not overrated, why the opinion of him. He's unreliable, he's not available, not tough enough, whatever. I'm tired of seeing some games where that guy goes two for seven. And I don't understand it. We're living in the age of the curmudgeon. Is shouting down from on high with the last of his or her media embers. Usually his shouting at sports. This guy's less than. I got to stay ahead of the Internet. I got to stay ahead of people being cruel. I got to be funnier. And so Anthony Davis has maybe not a legendary career, but a Hall of Fame one and will be viewed as less than. Not just in this trade, but paling compared to LeBron. Gave him. Gave him a fountain of youth. Got LeBron to 40, right?

[Roy Bellamy]

But that's on Anthony Davis because everyone can clearly see the talent. But it's on Anthony Davis as to why he will not be remembered in that.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay, but he never Plays his body. It's not that he never plays to Gus. That's not. That's not fair. But I understand what you're doing. And you too are curmudgeon. Because during the break, it all leads me to this. Stu Guts muttered under his breath, I.

[Jessica]

Know what he's doing. He stopped watching around the same time I did. No, apparently he's playing now. It's wild. Plays more now.

[Mike Ryan]

He played 76 games last year.

[Roy Bellamy]

A better way of saying is for now, okay, he's playing now. For now. For now he is playing. But shortly he will not be playing.

[Jessica]

But we're not alone. The entire Internet also stopped watching the same exact.

[Dan LeBatard]

Also, it doesn't help that he didn't play Saturday night against the Knicks. But that was more of an anomaly.

[Mike Ryan]

Recently while LeBron James is getting a triple double in Madison Square Garden. To stugac beloved Knicks, who play unevenly at home sometimes in games like that one. Stugatz during the break, because the curmudgeons still have the microphones. They have a death grip on the microphones. Stugats during the break actually said this. Spit it under his breath. Wish I had it in the first segment. Not lying about any of this. Big nothing trade. Big nothing trade between two teams that aren't going to do anything. Yeah, and I don't want him. And the Knicks don't want him. I wouldn't want any of those players. And then he called Luka a big fat person.

[Roy Bellamy]

I mean, it's a team that's 28 and 19. The Lakers, the team in Dallas that's not actually a little bit worse. They're 26 and 24. Whatever. They're on the outside looking in. In terms of the playoffs, this is a nothing trade. It's big names. I understand why it's news. It's a nothing trade. The Lakers are not winning an NBA title anytime soon. The Mavericks are not winning an NBA title anytime soon. In fact, I would tell you the bigger trade made yesterday in the NBA was the one that got the spurs the Aaron Fox. You want to know why? That team might win all the championships soon. Every one of them.

[Mike Ryan]

That's not a terrible. That's not a terrible point. But not this year. We're talking about now.

[Dan LeBatard]

You can't make a really bad point and then make a good point and we forget the really bad.

[Roy Bellamy]

In my entire life.

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, I will not stand for this.

[Mike Ryan]

Just unlock the code right in front of everybody. Undid the Rubik's Cube and showed. Yes, that's Exactly. He. He tried to distract us at the end with a moderately less bad prestige.

[Roy Bellamy]

This is not a trade. That land you Kareem Abdul Jabbar. This is not getting Moses MALONE if you're Dr. J and the Sixers the missing piece. And then they went fo, fo, fo foe. This is not that. This is a trade again with two middling teams and two superstars who. Who barely play.

[Mike Ryan]

Roy, can you help me with something, please?

[Roy Bellamy]

Nothing.

[Mike Ryan]

I believe that in 2025. I'm not sure about this. I asked genuinely. I think fo, fo, fo fo has been canceled. That stugato. Not allowed to say.

[Jessica]

Yeah, you can say I barely watch. But I'm pretty sure I saw those Mavericks in the finals last year.

[Roy Bellamy]

You did. You won't see him again this year.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's why it's a big trade.

[Roy Bellamy]

And they're only trade.

[Mike Ryan]

And they're only 26 and 24 because Luca hasn't played with a calf strain over the last. Like, they're really good when he and Kyrie are out there. And it'll be fun if LeBron is out there with him. Because I want to examine this part. Did LeBron really not know? That's not possible. Right. It's simply.

[Jessica]

Benjamin reported that they called LeBron shortly after because LeBron's agent is rich Paul and that's Anthony Davis agent.

[Dan LeBatard]

So no, apparently he found out while he was at dinner.

[Mike Ryan]

Sure. By the way, it's fo, fo, fo, not fo fo fo fo. Like Stu guys said there was only three foes back then.

[Dan LeBatard]

They didn't say dinner which night.

[Stugotz]

It's also being reported that rich Paul knew 48 hours before. So we're like. If we're believing so, he just didn't.

[Mike Ryan]

So. So that one's interesting, right? Like, good God, this is funny and wild.

[Jessica]

Okay. I don't believe it whatsoever.

[Mike Ryan]

I mean, come on.

[Stugotz]

Got out there with the report that LeBron didn't know too.

[Jessica]

So I mean, he has to not know.

[Roy Bellamy]

In sports history, has anyone ever acted more surprised than LeBron James? So.

[Mike Ryan]

So look, it's been like five or.

[Roy Bellamy]

Six times now where he knows what's going to happen.

[Mike Ryan]

So still got.

[Roy Bellamy]

It's always in a restaurant.

[Mike Ryan]

This part. This part is the greatest part where all the places where there's the fishy and you've got the oldest player in the league on the franchise that matters most in the league still has power at the end somehow. Listen to this. Because this labyrinth of Conflicts is pretty damn fascinating. And I probably don't need to tell you where it is that Rich Paul is going to air. On whose side Rich Paul is going to air as they take Anthony Davis from here to here to make LeBron better, and now they send him off to make LeBron better. Because LeBron made rich Paul made him, and they created a company together. And it's the business of LeBron and Anthony Davis, friend but employee LeBron James and Rich Paul run that business that is looking for investors overseas for $5 billion to create a competitive league and wants to run Hollywood. Rich Paul governs the business of LeBron James in Hollywood. And in Hollywood, where make believe gets painted into a real sweet mirage, he'll have you believe that LeBron James didn't know anything because that sits best with his friend Anthony Davis. But his responsibility as his agent is to Anthony Davis. I don't know how they do those machinations in terms of in house nobility, where you put this assignment over here so it doesn't conflict with LeBron, but that whole business is LeBron and it's run through conflict. Like, you can't have Anthony Davis working for LeBron James. And then LeBron James is going to pretend at the end that, oh, I got Luka Doncic, my least favorite player, because it's not actually me running the Lakers as I giggle on the sidelines because the buses know they've got a small family business and I'm the economy the way Kobe was the economy.

[Jessica]

Should be noted that the NBA has looked into LeBron's financial investment. If there is any with that agency. There isn't. Because plenty of teams have been like, is this allowed? There's so many conflicts.

[Mike Ryan]

It's so great. It's so great the way that they could just do the business of the NBA. Like they learned all the things in the last 10 years on how you guys are yelling at Riley out the door and. And. And look at how LeBron.

[Jessica]

I'm so pissed at him. No, but I'm so. I'm more pissed at him after the Luca trade than I ever was with the Jimmy stuff.

[Mike Ryan]

The Jimmy stuff got.

[Jessica]

How are they not calling us?

[Mike Ryan]

The Jimmy stuff got buried this weekend, thankfully. Yes, I know people want it buried. People are so tired of it. It's so funny. It is so funny. Stugats to watch how in love we are with the transaction. Right? Until we get tired of the transaction. Because I'll tell you, I got a clock in my head on this show. We're about 45 minutes from it here before it turns on us. And enough. Enough about Luca. Enough.

[Roy Bellamy]

It took me 20.

[Mike Ryan]

But. But they want. No. Yeah, took. You know. You're saying it's a nothing trade?

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. After I talked to my wife about the trade, I realized it's a nothing trade. What am I talking to her about it for? I'm talking to her about nothing. We have to have better things to talk about, me and my wife than Luca Duncan.

[Mike Ryan]

This Doncic. This is why you. This is why, though you're a curmudgeon.

[Dan LeBatard]

Just what do you talk about the spurs trade. Then what did you tell your wife about?

[Jessica]

What did you think?

[Roy Bellamy]

I said, watch out. I said the spurs of the team. I said, over the next 10 years, if I had to bet who's going to win the most titles, I'd go San Antonio. My wife agreed.

[Jessica]

Any JT Miller to the Rangers?

[Roy Bellamy]

I don't know who that is.

[Dan LeBatard]

What about the Bulls haul for Zach Levine?

[Roy Bellamy]

You know, that's where. I'll tell you what. When you go to Sacramento, that's where your career dies. I'm serious. Zach Levine. If he thought it was bad in Chicago, wait until he gets to Sacramento.

[Stugotz]

Harrison Barnes.

[Roy Bellamy]

And now De'Aaron Fox has more life. Harrison Barnes on San Antonio, though. I mean, he's going to win a bunch of titles coming up here. Seriously, that's a good team, Dan. Watch out for the Spurs.

[Mike Ryan]

Try Luka's name again.

[Roy Bellamy]

Donkic.

[Jessica]

I think this is a tomato. Tomato thing.

[Mike Ryan]

Is it Amen or Amen? Do you guys say amen or Amen?

[Roy Bellamy]

It's Amen.

[Jessica]

I don't know who it is.

[Mike Ryan]

Do you say amen or Amen?

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm supposed to say with spirit.

[Roy Bellamy]

You don't know Amen Thompson at church.

[Jessica]

I haven't gone to church in a while.

[Roy Bellamy]

Amen.

[Jessica]

Corner use a guy that tossed Tyler. Hero, wasn't it?

[Roy Bellamy]

It's my church.

[Jessica]

Yes, if you say so.

[Mike Ryan]

This story stugance is interesting for a number of different reasons. But you are saying he's not Moses Malone.

[Roy Bellamy]

No.

[Mike Ryan]

And so you're throwing, you're reciting a number of different names at me that are historic. But you understand if this person stays healthy and continues to play like this in his prime, right, for the next 10 years, he will become, by all of the advanced metrics, one of the top five offensive players in the history of the sport. When LeBron James gives you the praise of. That's the player that I most like as a savant. That's the player I most like to Watch. Because he's so offensively ruthless and knows the game so well, and all the. All the angles. That player is never available by trade, never blindsided by that trade. 25 years old. Crazy for all. Do you know how hard it is to shock? It's not even just the silence, that it was never whispered.

[Roy Bellamy]

Right.

[Mike Ryan]

Do you know how hard it is to shock all sports fans? Like, it's just like, across sports in.

[Roy Bellamy]

This day and age, it's nearly impossible across.

[Mike Ryan]

Across all sports, where you're. What you're latching onto isn't just celebrity, isn't just stardom regionally or nationally or even internationally. It's anybody who cares about sports. All of a sudden, you're talking to your wife who, you know doesn't care about sports, and you're telling her about De'Aaron Fox to San Antonio, because you've gotten carried away, because it feels like love.

[Dan LeBatard]

We haven't even talked about Mavericks fans. I just. They're so upset right now, and there's gotta be so many Cowboys, Mavericks fans that are just like, what has. This has been the worst year of my life.

[Jessica]

Oh, but the tweets are like, well, on the other hand, your favorite basketball team just got Luka Doncic if you're a Cowboys fan.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, I. I love the idea that Stugart and Jessica were rustled from sleep. Like Lehman demanding that you. That. That he. You give him a vine. That you. That Lehman demanding to do a sports talk radio show for you when you don't want to be woken by him on this. I don't. I don't think. I think if you. I don't know how hard it is for you to get back to sleep. I would not want a phone call that wakes me, not with this news.

[Dan LeBatard]

He was like, can I call you on my drive? And I was like, yeah, but I'm not going to talk. So he just talked to me while I just laid there with my eyes closed. It's like, I. I am genuinely interested and excited by this. This has been a tremendous weekend for basketball, but it was not the time and place.

[Mike Ryan]

Is it just because he wanted to do a sports radio show? He just needed to be heard in an outlet. He needed to talk to somebody at that hour.

[Dan LeBatard]

He knows I can't. I can't do more next talk. I've done. Oh, my God, so much.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, but this is so. This is the funny thing. Listen to this. So how about. How crazy is this at the top of this business? So Leon Rose, who used to be LeBron's agent now the Knicks doesn't need to meet with the media guy. He's powerful and they've created a great thing. But Bridges doesn't quite fit there. It's hard to be Bosch like Bridges doesn't.

[Jessica]

How many first round picks did he net, by the way? Five. Bridges got five.

[Roy Bellamy]

I think it was something like I think three, maybe.

[Mike Ryan]

He makes the math of what I'm about to say difficult because he's owed 24, $26 million next year.

[Roy Bellamy]

He's been fine.

[Mike Ryan]

But no. Well, the conversation I wanted to have with you which sports fans now because this part becomes titillating Stu Gotz during Super bowl week. Basketball can keep the storyline this week. Basketball can knock the super bowl out of the way again. What's LeBron doing? Like what he. I know what's being reported and I know that his contract says that he's got the choice on being a free agent next year or not, but he just got his kid employed by the Lakers and he's got a good relationship with that organization. But his former agent, Leon Rose in New York. I don't know whether you want him or not, but New York is talking about the idea of, well, if Bridges isn't our third best player, but LeBron the smartest ever decides he wants to be something that runs with Kat and Brunson. Isn't that interesting to New York. Like just when. When you get this is what baseball used to be like this basketball has given us this over the last 15 years. Well now every team can dream because all the players might be available this weekend if the top of the power structure is changing.

[Roy Bellamy]

That is something that would, that would interest New York certainly getting LeBron James. By the way, Mike, it was four first round picks for Bridges. So I listen. You have every right to question what it is the Mavericks did in not getting enough for. For Luca. You do. You have every right to question that when. When you consider that four first round picks were given the gas.

[Mike Ryan]

Five for Gobert.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yes.

[Mike Ryan]

No. But this wasn't about draft picks.

[Roy Bellamy]

But they got a superstar back.

[Jessica]

It was five first round picks and a first round pick swap.

[Roy Bellamy]

Okay.

[Mike Ryan]

All right. So regardless, look, the draft picks became an important thing. Does that. Is that fine for stugouts reading the Internet wrong? Is that a fine?

[Jessica]

Yeah.

[Roy Bellamy]

Instead of Venmo 25, 27, 29, 31. I missed the pick swap. Also, I missed a Bogdanovich.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, I loved, I love that somebody was checking in on Bogdanovich. Like that's what I thought the trade deadline Was going to be.

[Roy Bellamy]

I read that's what it usually is.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes, that's usually what it is. But I'm asking you guys now, next steps on this, right? Because basketball can keep a portion of this week, even with football, because of how much we love this stuff. And it's just the talk, but whatever. I didn't think we'd be there. LeBron next moves. We're all assuming that he's handing the team over to Luca for the next 10 years is going to gracefully go out in Los Angeles. Correct. But now Golden State is out on Jimmy Butler because Jimmy Butler says he doesn't want to go there. If you think that LeBron and Steph aren't going to compete for championships until the very end, at the top of the business, like the game now is, you got to go get Steph, help. Golden State, you had all the advantages. You've got a tax advantage. You got. You got all that real estate there. You're worth one of the most valuable franchises in sport. You got to keep Steph Curry fed there at the end so that he can keep competing with LeBron. Right? And they tried to trade. Reportedly talked about it a few weeks ago. Now what happens to Steph when the competition is for dollars and players and LeBron is playing with a business. LeBron is playing with a conflict of interest business where he can move the parts easier than Steph can.

[Dan LeBatard]

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

[Stugotz]

Yeah, sold it to Carvana.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, I thought you were selling to that guy.

[Roy Bellamy]

The guy who wanted to pay me.

[Stugotz]

In foreign currency, no interest over 36 months.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, no.

[Stugotz]

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

[Dan LeBatard]

Just like that?

[Mike Ryan]

Yep.

[Dan LeBatard]

No hassle.

[Roy Bellamy]

None.

[Dan LeBatard]

That is super convenient. Sell your car to Carvana and swap. Hassle for convenience. Pickup fees may apply. The Dan Lebatard show with Stugotz is sponsored by BetterHelp. We talk a lot about red flags, the warning signs that tell us to stay away from toxic relationships. But what if we spent more time looking for green flags? You know, the signs that a relationship is healthy, supportive, and worth investing in. So what are some green flags to look out for? Good communication, emotional safety, mutual respect, and someone who genuinely listens to you. Whether it's a romantic partner, a friend, or even a co worker. Recognizing these positive traits can help you build relationships that will truly love you back. And if you're not sure how to spot them or even how to practice them yourself, therapy can help. Therapy can teach you positive coping skills, how to set boundaries, and how to show up as the best version of yourself. BetterHelp is accessible, affordable and convenient. With over 30,000 licensed therapists and a fully online platform, you can find the right match for you. Plus, you can switch therapists anytime at no extra cost. So why not invest in the relationship that matters most, starting with yourself? Discover your relationship green flags with better help. Visit betterhelp.com DLB today to get 10% off your first month. That's BetterHelp.

[Jerbear]

H-E-L-P.com DLB friends, it's Jerbear, and you know that I'm obviously a bit of the romantic type. And Valentine's Day is coming up and for me, there's only one place that I trust. 1-800-flowers.com Every year I order stunning, high quality bouquets from 1-800-flowers that my wife absolutely loves. And this year I'm partnering with 1-800-FLOWERS to make sure you're a Valentine's hero with an exclusive offer for my listeners. Double the roses for free. When you buy one dozen, they'll double your bouquet to two dozen roses. It's the perfect way to say I love you without breaking the bank. Trust me. 1-800-FLowers always delivers. In the Lebatard studios, we received a beautiful arrangement of long stem red roses accompanied in an hourglass red vase. They're timeless, luxurious and romantic. A must have this Valentine's Day. And seeing and smelling the freshness of that bouquet as I walk into work every day has me prepared for any hate that Dan may throw my way. To claim your double your roses offer, go to 1-800-flowers.com dan that's 1-800-flowers.Com dan.

[Mike Ryan]

Dan LeBatard There is no question, Dan LeBatard show included anybody else that this, this guy is the best player on the planet. Whether he wins the Stanley cup or the cod smite this year, there is no question about it. Stugats. What's going on? Altered world. Oh my goodness.

[Jessica]

So this is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats.

[Roy Bellamy]

It seems like this whole thing actually is fascinating those two at the very end here because you either have to get the right pieces for Steph or allow Steph to go somewhere where the right pieces already exist. And in LeBron's case, I will tell you this, Dan, if indeed this is Lucas team next 10 to 15 years, LeBron's going to go out with Grace going to the Knicks. If they don't win a title this year because he's chasing Jordan, we All know he's chasing Jordan. If he goes to that franchise and wins them their first NBA title. He's a big reason. He's a big part. As to the why. I'm telling you, that would get me a lot closer to telling you that, LeBron. It would get me closer.

[Mike Ryan]

What?

[Roy Bellamy]

These are a bunch of big ifs, Dan. It would get me. It would get me there, but it would get me closer.

[Mike Ryan]

It doesn't mean anything.

[Roy Bellamy]

One and a half titles.

[Mike Ryan]

It doesn't mean anything unless you get there. One and a half titles.

[Roy Bellamy]

So he'd be at five and a half. Michael would be.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, that's not giving him anything.

[Dan LeBatard]

Why are we doing LeBron to the. The Knicks are good this year. They made a lot of moves and so much better than they.

[Roy Bellamy]

No, but Dan is talking about what these two guys at the end of their career have to be willing to do. You're not going to bring the right pieces in around LeBron, right? The Lakers aren't winning with LeBron. They're not. So where can LeBron go to win another championship or two? The Knicks would be a good place.

[Mike Ryan]

Wait. Doncic comes back February 11th. And while you may dismiss what that is offensively, I will not. I think they're going to be terrible defensively. But I think you underestimate what like LeBron and Doncic playing what my imagination conjures with a big. Who can actually play. Because, I mean, Anthony Davis thought he had some power. Last week he was publicly being quoted as saying, we need a center and a guard. Like I was. I was a little bit startled. I'm like, anthony Davis is in charge now.

[Roy Bellamy]

They got the guard.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah.

[Roy Bellamy]

So.

[Mike Ryan]

Those two guys playing like you could question it all you want, but I believe all of us are. Turn on your television. Curious. Tell me when that game starts. I want to watch a regular season game that hasn't happened for that league very much. And it's the power of star power. It's the power of the Lakers. You saw Stugats. Football just came and took Christmas Day. Netflix is going up again. $18 now Netflix is going to go up because all this stuff is. They got to get the sports rights and it's going to explode. All this stuff is going to explode.

[Jessica]

Else is going up.

[Mike Ryan]

Christmas Day got stolen by football, but the game that mattered in basketball was LeBron. Steph. They will not go quietly on the business of this. And I don't know. It's good to talk. It's fun to talk about. People can do the permutation it doesn't even matter stugats. Whether you want LeBron in New York. Don't want LeBron in New York. But if I throw that on fan today as chum.

[Roy Bellamy]

Oh, God. 20 shares.

[Mike Ryan]

If I. If I throw today LeBron James economy coming to. Because you get the conflict of. No, we're fine with our team the way it is. We think we can beat Cleveland, even though we can. Like, when we need Mitchell Robinson to do it so that we have the front court advantages we need. No, we cannot beat Cleveland now. We did before. We cannot do that. With this present allotment of players. You're going to see a different Karl Anthony Towns when that's the front line that. That he's against. I'd worry about that if I was New York. And then there's Boston, which last night was bored and just wandered around and then went by eight against Philadelphia because they could just win at the end. They could just tighten you up. And then Tyrese Maxey, it's all of a sudden out there by himself.

[Jessica]

I feel bad for Mavs fans.

[Roy Bellamy]

Do you?

[Jessica]

I do.

[Roy Bellamy]

They made it to the final.

[Jessica]

I know, like, very passionate Mavs fans that are like, this is. This might be it for me.

[Roy Bellamy]

What?

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, I've seen. I've seen some of that, too. It is a huge bummer because, like, several teams passed on Luka. So you get this person who a lot of, like, draft analysts thought was the best player in that draft, and you have him, and he's 25, and he's already taken you to the finals, and they've made moves around him to make the team better, and now they're just kind of, like, giving up on it. It's just bizarre.

[Jessica]

Did you see the. The photo around the Dirk statue? People are laying down Luka shirts and signs saying, I love you, Luca. It's like he tragically passed away.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, but imagine. Wait a minute, guys. Like, we're sitting here talking about roy's at church, 8:30 in the morning. Wait a minute. Make this something you care about. Make this something you've developed an emotional attachment that feels intimate. That has to do with regional pride. Like, and you wake up in the morning and in terms of sports fandom, like, this hurts. Like, it just. It lands in a way where you guys are talking about shock, and this doesn't affect you guys in any way whatsoever. You guys are just all about the training transaction. Every one of you doesn't have an emotional investment in this. You're not actually that interested in the sport. Or what happens at the end during the championship. You're just interested. Like, oh, my God. A transaction. That surprised me.

[Jessica]

No, it affected me. I thought Agent Goran was going to get Luca here in two years. So now that's another plan.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay. Right. Okay. So, yes, that was the plan. The plan. As far as.

[Jessica]

I love people reporting that.

[Mike Ryan]

Hey, guys, they want Luca.

[Jessica]

Miami Heat might be posturing to get one of the best players in the NBA with cap room. Oh, tell me yours.

[Stugotz]

I'm wondering, what is a GM's responsibility to an organization in terms of how far to look ahead? I want to play a clip here of Nico Harrison at the press conference talking about timeline, and he's basically just like, 10 years from now. I'm not worried about that. I might not be here. I'm worried about three or four years. Let's play this clip here.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, I think the long term is the time frame. I think he fits our time frame. If you pair him with. With Kyrie and the rest of the guys, he fits right along with our time frame to win now and win in the future. And. And the future, to me, is three, four years from now. The future ten years from now. I don't know. I don't think I. They probably bury me and Jay Button or we bear ourselves, like, just.

[Stugotz]

I mean, Jason Kidd looks so awkward the entire press conference.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, man.

[Stugotz]

What is it like? Is that. Is he right there? Is it okay for a GM to just be like, I'm thinking four years ahead and that's it? Because I might not be here after that.

[Roy Bellamy]

Mike, who was that?

[Mike Ryan]

What?

[Jessica]

The guy that was not at all shocked. I think it was Doug Funny's neighbor. Hi, dog.

[Mike Ryan]

Can I hear the nervous chuckle at the end of that? Because I want you guys to hear what it sounds like when a man is drowning in public and coming up for air and nothing is funny right now because what he feels is the pressure and a thousand weights on his neck of. Everyone's laughing at me. I've got to come out here and defend something that would appear to everybody as indefensible. I'm going to bring Jason Kidd out here. I don't know if you know what my relationship is with Jason Kidd, but you will find out about it when I turn to him for some comfort here and I do not get it, and I nervously chuckle alone. Ten years from now. I don't know. I don't think I. They probably bury me and Jay Button or we bear ourselves. Yes.

[Roy Bellamy]

He literally.

[Stugotz]

Jason kid looks down and shakes his head when he's saying, we won't be here.

[Mike Ryan]

He won't.

[Jessica]

He won't. You remember when everyone knew that it was dicey headed into an offseason letting Shohei Ohtani hit free agency, but everyone kind of understood you don't want to be the GM that trades Shohei Ohtani. This guy's a GM that traded Luka Doncic.

[Mike Ryan]

There are any number of bad trades that I want to go through with you guys. Because in the history of this sport, I'm a little jarred to have everyone assess this one as the worst ever before anything's actually happened. You understand that this is a little startling when I ask, what are the worst ever? And I get Gobert. I get Paul George because of what Oklahoma City has become. When. When you can become cheap, lock up your guys by getting rid of a Paul George. In baseball, it's Babe Ruth and Miguel Cabrera. Correct. Those are the two we've had. We've had one in this market. Miguel Cabrera and Babe.

[Jessica]

This podcast network.

[Mike Ryan]

And are you guys in agreement with me on the fact that I can't knock football off the week?

[Jessica]

It's nice to have it on on a weekend where it's gone. Trust me.

[Mike Ryan]

But with. With a transaction. With a transaction. In any of the other sports. There aren't names I can give you from baseball or hockey or anywhere else that will grab all. Not even hockey. Not If I. Connor McDavid's been traded.

[Jessica]

No. Sidney Crosby has been rumored. But that won't. That won't do it. Because it's hockey.

[Mike Ryan]

There's no such thing. It's only. This is the birth of the last 15 years.

[Roy Bellamy]

Maybe judge. Maybe Judge.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't.

[Jessica]

Hamilton Ferrari, maybe.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't think Aaron Judge, man. I don't. But. Okay. You're probably right.

[Stugotz]

I was like saying two or three names in baseball. That might steal some attention.

[Mike Ryan]

That's not the. Might steal some attention is not what.

[Stugotz]

I'm from the Super Bowl.

[Mike Ryan]

Holy shit in Church at 8:30. And all of you looking at Roy and saying, how could you get to that news so late? 8:30 in the morning. You idiot. You fool.

[Stugotz]

Like, we just know Roy's Twitter.

[Mike Ryan]

But that wouldn't happen with Aaron Judge. Holy shit in church should be our new standard.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yes. You say holy in church. Yes.

[Mike Ryan]

Not I. If Roy. If Roy says holy out loud in church. No.

[Jessica]

But his priorities are all skewed.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. Because then hockey's definitely in play.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[Jessica]

Quinn Hughes to the Devils.

[Mike Ryan]

That's true.

[Jessica]

Oh, that's a Holy Shit.

[Mike Ryan]

That's a Holy shit.

[Jessica]

That is a holy shit.

[Mike Ryan]

He cares too much. He wanted you to say he cares too much. He's a bad. Yeah, he's a. I'm a bad example. Yeah. You can't be trusted here. I'm sorry. The point that I.

[Jessica]

The preds. No, I'm just feeling it out. You tell me where the lines are, pal.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't want to do this. Thank you, though, for offering it. It's not something that I'd like to do here.

[Jessica]

That's an opportunity to say red coat goudis.

[Mike Ryan]

No, I know you're. And you're gonna keep doing it, and I want to dissuade you. You're gonna keep doing this until you finally get another holy shit out of Roy when I don't want one because it's not holy shit.

[Jessica]

Worthy Panera into the wild.

[Roy Bellamy]

The bread, man.

[Mike Ryan]

That isn't okay, but that doesn't help me. I'm sorry.

[Jessica]

I apologize.

[Mike Ryan]

It's no holy shit.

[Stugotz]

He's not going to play your game. He's going to give you an honest answer.

[Mike Ryan]

My larger point being that if I'm in Dallas today and I care about my sports team and like, this is. Let's. Can we talk some about regional prides and regional sports identities? Okay? The Dallas Cowboys have been a laughingstock. Dallas would like to be very good at football. They've been a laughingstock for a while, for however easy you guys think it is to win championships. Mark Cuban and the Mavs winning championships in that market made Dirk Nowitzki, for example, have a relationship with that city unlike any that you will find outside of football. Usually maybe with a Nolan Ryan type here or there, but that's a bygone age. We're talking about a kid who came to this country, and the people of Dallas feel like they know him a lot better than we do. Right. He's guarded in the media. Second language makes it tough. But he's become an international superstar, and Dallas feels like it knows him. Dallas gets all those local interviews where he's being cute, sees his rise, sees that he's the same person now that he was when he was 20, and falls in love with somebody who brings them the joy of holy shit. I'm getting to watch mastery. Genius at its youngest age, in its prime. Everyone knows this is the best that sports gets. I have this relationship with this man. I feel like I know him. And in the middle of the night, you've sent him away. Why is that? Or how would that feel any different than your team packing moving trucks in the middle of the night? Like, tell me how it would feel any different. It's the team and it's gone. But it feels like the team just left. Even if Anthony Davis is really good. Like, those people wake up in the morning, it's stunned and it hurts. Like, it hurt. It's an emotional thing. It's not. It's not often the depths like, where the shock that you feel when a player you care about, you learn he's sick or he dies. But in terms of the sports feelings of this, this is the thing that hurts the most. Like, wait a minute. Oh, this is all business. This is. This isn't about. There ain't anything here for me or loyalty or anything else. When Mike says it would get me out on the sport. Yeah, that Miguel Cabrera being traded was the first of many like that that got a lot of people in South Florida, Florida, out on a sport that they love.

[Roy Bellamy]

When they made that trade, though, the Marlins with Cabrera, what they got back was Burke Badenhop. I mean, that's the Hopper. That's who they got back. I mean, they got. They got Anthony Davis back and Charles Barkley likes the trade. Like Mavs fans need to get over.

[Stugotz]

They got Andrew Miller and Cameron Mabin, who at least were young prospects. You at least see the math of, okay, a guy that's leaving younger, good prospects. This is just like an old guy. You got two years with them and that's it.

[Roy Bellamy]

Man.

[Mike Ryan]

Jessica, please, have at it with old guy.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm lost now.

[Stugotz]

Anthony Davis is the old guy.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm saying 31.

[Stugotz]

I'm just saying relative to Luka, but.

[Roy Bellamy]

Luka'S an old 25.

[Jessica]

You agree, right? Now he is Anthony Davis an old 31.

[Mike Ryan]

He turns 32 next month.

[Dan LeBatard]

So that is very. 32. 32, 31 and 11 month year old. He's a very 31 and 11 month year old. 31 and 11 month old.

[Jessica]

He's an old 32 year old.

[Mike Ryan]

He's the oldest 31 that there could be.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think that it's difficult for you to analyze Anthony Davis if you were unaware of the fact that he's played most of the games he's been in for the last 30 years.

[Roy Bellamy]

I've watched Anthony Davis his entire life. He's played about half the games.

[Dan LeBatard]

Okay, they did win a championship. They did win a championship together.

[Mike Ryan]

The math is in the last four.

[Dan LeBatard]

Years, it would have counted if it was the Heat.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes, that's correct for me. In the last four years, he has played more than 60 games once, and it was last year after Charles and Shaq did a lot of damage to his reputation. That hasn't been erased by just hammering him and calling him street clothes. And he is less available. And that would be very frustrating if my body was breaking down. He does seem to care, though. He doesn't seem to be doing what Jimmy Butler is presently doing in terms of not trying. Unlike Luca, he seems to always try to get out there, and, you know, he gets the reputation. This is a rare thing, okay? This is. This is not a normal thing for a top 15 top 20 player. Not top 10 player now, but top 15 top 20 player in terms of skill set that you've ever seen. For that to be less than because somebody's always saying it's soft, mentally weak, body's weak. And this trade is a joke because that's not valuable at 31, because I know it's going to break down.

[Jessica]

It is interesting that Damian Lillard wasn't allowed to say, hey, I only want to go to this team, but Jimmy Butler can. I'll shut up. It's Lucas.

[Roy Bellamy]

Dag.

[Dan LeBatard]

Can we do LeBron to the Heat next?

[Jessica]

I've already been there, and Pat's going to be asleep at that window.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's better than LeBron to the Knicks. I'd rather hear that argument.

[Jessica]

When I saw that trade go down, my initial reaction was anger at Pat and also almost certainty that I found out before he.

[Mike Ryan]

You. I don't like what you're doing to Pat Riley there.

[Jessica]

Well, I don't like what he's doing to me. Terry Rozier still on this roster. And I warned him. I was like, please don't do this, Pat. The day that he was acquired, I begged on this microphone, do not acquire Terry Rozier, please. He is a bad basketball player and personally my least favorite ever. And he did it anyways. He drew first blood. Not me.

[Mike Ryan]

Super disrespectful that you have him nodding off and are entitled to old people jokes. I think it's. You can have all of those same criticism.

[Jessica]

He was asleep when the news broke.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay.

[Roy Bellamy]

All he's done for you, though, man. I mean, come on.

[Jessica]

No, he's great. He gets to stay here as long as possible. But we can also be adults here and acknowledge that we all probably found.

[Mike Ryan]

Out later this week. Later this week, he was at the.

[Dan LeBatard]

Early Bird Special at the Sizzler where Dan used to work or something.

[Mike Ryan]

I love Sizzler. I don't. You will not. Sizzler. Shame. Me, I'm not. There will be no Sizzler. Shame.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm Early Bird Special, shaming Pat Riley on behalf of Mike. I have no strong opinions on Pat Riley.

[Mike Ryan]

You shouldn't have any strong opinions that are negative on Sizzlers. You gotta be careful.

[Dan LeBatard]

I have no negative opinions about anything at the moment. It was a great weekend.

[Jessica]

And then I was like, well, maybe this will spring him into action. Be like, we'll get the Aaron Fox. And then that window closed.

[Mike Ryan]

Levine.

[Jessica]

So they closed simultaneously.

[Dan LeBatard]

There's a negative reaction. The Bulls. The Bulls are just so bad at this. They're just so bad at this.

[Jessica]

There's no way LeBron's gonna want to come here.

[Mike Ryan]

Can I interest you guys, though, in the conversation about how it is and why it is that it had to be kept quiet and the idea that you would neuter yourself in terms of availability of all the league's talent? Because I. I don't understand why you guys don't bite on this particular conversation where it can just be blanket incompetence. But if you can summon a hypothetical motive for me on what is here that is still untold, whether it's fishy, whatever it is that. That you want to go with there.

[Jessica]

Do you think this trade would have been allowed if people generally thought this Lakers team could win? Because this is worse than the C deal that David Stern blew up in terms of being unfair. Bridges went for five first round picks. I understand Dallas is getting back a Hall of famer, and he's 31 years old presently. Even though he's an old 32.

[Mike Ryan]

The oldest.

[Jessica]

He's the oldest possible 32. Even though he's not 32 yet.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes, he's the.

[Jessica]

I guess you could say when. Can you say in a one for one deal. You traded a Hall of Famer, got one back. Well, when one of them's 25, dude, and you got back like one, that's like, historically, I know the last three years when I haven't been watching, he's been all right, but he's always hurt. It doesn't seem fair.

[Mike Ryan]

Not always hurt. He is often hurt.

[Jessica]

When most people were watching, he's always hurt.

[Mike Ryan]

That's fine. And that is the distinction that we now do.

[Dan LeBatard]

Mike is watching.

[Mike Ryan]

No, that's what.

[Jessica]

But that everyone tuned out when the Heat did.

[Mike Ryan]

Jessica, the sports fan is at this point that entitled Mike speaks on behalf of fan entitlement, where it's like sports.

[Dan LeBatard]

Object permanence, where, like, when he's not watching it, it's not happening.

[Mike Ryan]

That's correct.

[Dan LeBatard]

It doesn't exist.

[Roy Bellamy]

That's cor.

[Jessica]

That the whole sport is being played in a forest.

[Mike Ryan]

Have you not realized, Jessica, at this point that much of this show is funneled through the sheer narcissism of Mike Ryan?

[Jessica]

Play on wood.

[Mike Ryan]

And frankly, Jessica, if he had his way, he would be talking a lot more about Panthers hockey right now that this show. If he actually, if he actually had his way, he and Roy won the last chance quality. And nascar. He would be talking about NASCAR too. So.

[Dan LeBatard]

So you're saying we're very lucky.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm not actually about his restraint. No, I'm just, I'm telling you that he, he and many sports fans, it's not just him. But if you grow fat on early 2000s hurricane football and you follow that up with 2010, 2014, LeBron, you're spoiled. You become really entitled to. The sports team of my choosing will keep my attention these next five minutes or I'm going to go elsewhere to be with my chance champion.

[Jessica]

That's me. Entitled recovering Browns fan onto the pants. Me and my charmed life. I had to wait 30 years for my hockey franchise to do something so, so spoiled.

[Roy Bellamy]

You have lived a charm sports life, Mike.

[Mike Ryan]

You don't think so?

[Jessica]

I mean, I got to see, I got to see the. The greatest basketball player arguably ever play in my heat uniform. And that was, that was really cool. I really miss Dwyane Wade.

[Mike Ryan]

Would LeBron James do? Gods, they're the worst. Would LeBron James say right now that Luka is his best teammate ever? Would you say Luka is his best teammate?

[Jessica]

That's his move. Anytime he gets a new teammate, LeBron's.

[Roy Bellamy]

Gonna say it because he's a liar.

[Mike Ryan]

No, I'm just saying he takes one to no one. He should say it and they should not play together.

[Jerbear]

He should be traded this week, friends, it's Jerbear. And you know that I'm obviously a bit of the romantic type. And Valentine's Day is coming. And for me, there's only one place that I trust. 1-800-flowers.com Every year, I order stunning, high quality bouquets from 1-800-flowers that my wife absolutely loves. And this year I'm partnering with 1-800-FLOWERS to make sure you're a Valentine's hero with an exclusive offer for my listeners. Double the roses for free. When you buy one dozen, they'll double your bouquet to two dozen roses. It's the perfect way to say I love you without breaking the bank. Trust me. 1-800-FLowers always delivers. In the Lebatard Studios, we received a beautiful arrangement of long stem red roses accompanied in an hourglass red vase. They're timeless, luxurious and romantic. A must have this Valentine's Day. And seeing and smelling the freshness of that bouquet as I walk into work every day has me prepared for any hate that Dan may throw my way. To claim your double your roses offer, go to 1-800-flowers.com dan that's at 1-800-flowers.Com dan.

[Jessica]

Hey folks, it's Mike Ryan. It is big game week and I've got just the thing to make your big game time a Miller Time. From fireside conversations to football Sundays, winter means more moments with the coolest people in your life. Life make these moments even better with Miller Light, the great tasting light beer for people who love beer. A new year is a perfect time for friends, family and great tasting light beer. Tastes like Miller Time. Miller Light is brewed for taste. It hits different than other light beers. When you're hosting your ultimate game day party, why don't you bring out a beautiful silver platter of that amazing white can and know you will make everybody there happy. Because Miller Lite is the original light beer since 1975 and still the very best one. Miller Lite Great Taste 96 calories go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer Tastes like Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.