The Big Suey: The Patrick Ewing Wheelhouse (feat. David Samson)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Big Suey: The Patrick Ewing Wheelhouse (feat. David Samson)
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Release Date: March 26, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz delve into a heated discussion centered around Jimmy Butler's controversial actions and the Miami Heat's response. Featuring insights from guest David Samson, the conversation extends to comparisons with Patrick Ewing's tenure with the New York Knicks and broader implications for sports organizations and player empowerment.

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Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat's Response

The episode opens with a robust debate on Jimmy Butler's recent actions, which have stirred significant controversy within the sports community. Stugotz criticizes the Miami Heat's handling of Butler’s behavior, emphasizing accountability over favoritism.

• Stugotz (04:05):
  “...we stuck to our principles that if you're going to be critical of us, we're not going to open a window for you to be celebrated. So I don't think that it's about class. It's about accountability...”

Dan Le Batard and Greg Cody further explore the ramifications of the Heat's decisions, questioning whether the organization’s approach sets a precedent for future player interactions and team dynamics.

• Greg Cody (07:04):
  “It's not about Jimmy Butler. It's about what you project to the rest of basketball...”

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Comparing Patrick Ewing's Tenure with the Knicks

The conversation shifts to Patrick Ewing’s era with the New York Knicks, drawing parallels and contrasts with Butler’s situation. While Ewing’s departure was less acrimonious, Stugotz argues that the Heat's actions toward Butler represent a stronger stance on player conduct.

• Stugotz (09:52):
  “...Jimmy had been suspended... it was not like that with Patrick.”

Greg Cody counters by highlighting the Heat's unorthodox application of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in Butler’s case, suggesting that it reflects internal organizational issues rather than solely Butler’s behavior.

• Greg Cody (10:17):
  “The issue here is it's not about Jimmy Butler. It's about every future free agent...”

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Player Empowerment and Organizational Accountability

The hosts and Samson delve into the broader theme of player empowerment, debating how organizations should balance team interests with individual player actions. Stugotz advocates for strict accountability, while Cody suggests that maintaining professional decorum benefits the sport's integrity.

• Stugotz (12:22):
  “It's not just that he missed a plane gta. This was a pattern of behavior over the course of years.”

• Greg Cody (13:33):
  “It's working out great in this country, right? Rich people are richer than they've ever been before...”

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Impact of NIL and Transfer Portal on College Basketball

Transitioning from professional sports, the discussion addresses recent developments in college basketball, specifically the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies and the transfer portal. Stugotz critiques the proposed changes by John Skipper, arguing they would exacerbate inequalities within the sport.

• Stugotz (17:52):
  “...they are focusing solely on the haves...”

Amin Elhassan and Greg Cody analyze how these changes might reduce the unpredictability and excitement traditionally associated with March Madness, fearing that commercialization could undermine the competitive spirit.

• Greg Cody (18:45):
  “The perfect formula for March Madness is first couple of days upsets...”

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Netflix's Adolescence and Modern Parenting Challenges

Towards the episode's end, the hosts briefly touch upon the Netflix series Adolescence, sparking a side discussion on modern parenting and the psychological impacts of technology on children. Stugotz praises the show's portrayal of a child's capabilities and the disconnect parents may feel in the digital age.

• Stugotz (31:03):
  “A child is capable of murder and you don't know it because you think you know your child...”

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Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the intense debates surrounding player conduct, organizational responsibility, and the evolving landscape of college athletics. Hosts emphasize the importance of accountability and maintaining the sport's integrity amidst changing dynamics.

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Notable Quotes

• Stugotz (04:05):
  “Sell your car to Carvana and swap hassle for convenience.”

• Greg Cody (07:04):
  “It's about projecting that, hey, we are a place that does it right, even when we have been wronged.”

• Stugotz (12:22):
  “What Jimmy Butler did was Grand Theft Auto.”

• Greg Cody (17:52):
  “It's fed by a system that only benefits the already privileged.”

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Key Takeaways

1. Accountability Over Favoritism: The Miami Heat's handling of Jimmy Butler underscores a commitment to organizational principles, setting a precedent for how player behavior is managed.

2. Comparative Analysis: Comparing Butler’s situation with Patrick Ewing’s tenure highlights differing organizational responses to player conduct.

3. Player Empowerment: The debate emphasizes the need for sports organizations to balance team cohesion with individual autonomy.

4. College Sports Evolution: NIL and transfer portal changes are reshaping college basketball, with potential long-term effects on competition and equity.

5. Modern Parenting Challenges: The discussion on Adolescence reflects concerns about technology’s impact on child development and parental awareness.

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For listeners seeking in-depth analysis of sports dynamics, player relations, and the future of college athletics, this episode provides a comprehensive exploration of current controversies and their broader implications.

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. Yeah, no. 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?

[Stugotz]

Yep.

[Dan LeBatard]

No hassle?

[Amin Elhassan]

None.

[Dan LeBatard]

That is super convenient.

[Stugotz]

Sell your car to Carvana and swap hassle. For convenience.

[Billy Corben]

Pickup fees may apply.

[Jessica]

Comcast business helps turn the PGA Tour.

[David Sampson]

Into a game changing golf experience. It's how courses become automated. Turf tending never look so amazing. Tournament backdrops, how 18 holes becomes up.

[Jessica]

To the millimeter ball spotting technological marvels.

[David Sampson]

And how the fan experience gets turned.

[Jessica]

Into mobile device paying.

[David Sampson]

Unforgettable moments with leading networking and connectivity, advanced fiber solutions and expert partnership. Comcast business is powering the connectivity of the PGA Tour. Powering possibilities.

[Greg Cody]

Welcome to the Big Sui presented by DraftKings.

[Amin Elhassan]

Why are you listening to this show.

[Stugotz]

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.

[Amin Elhassan]

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

[Greg Cody]

And now here's the marching man to Nowhere Fat face and the habitual liar.

[Amin Elhassan]

I'm sure David Sampson has a lot of opinions about what he or he would have done or not done as part of a tribute to a player that soon I will not be able to name. Because, Jessica, I'm going to make this bet with you before the end of the show. The stakes will be, and I will agree to the terms. I will not talk about this anymore. No matter who brings it up or how they bring it up, I will abstain. But in exchange for that, there has to be something of equal measure that you're giving me.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'll think about it.

[Greg Cody]

You keep saying steaks, so.

[Dan LeBatard]

I know, but can it be actual steaks?

[Greg Cody]

That's what I was. I think that's what he was angling at.

[Billy Corben]

Delicious.

[Amin Elhassan]

It can't.

[David Sampson]

Can you eat steak?

[Amin Elhassan]

Actually, steaks. No, it can't.

[Dan LeBatard]

Either one of you, you can eat steak.

[Greg Cody]

You can have a tuna steak, right?

[Amin Elhassan]

I can have. Yeah, I can have fish and stuff. I can have chicken.

[David Sampson]

You can't have.

[Amin Elhassan]

No, no steak.

[Tony]

Why?

[Amin Elhassan]

Just can't have. It reacts badly with my body. What do you Want. What do you.

[Stugotz]

What.

[Amin Elhassan]

What do you ask?

[Greg Cody]

You new here?

[Amin Elhassan]

What do you.

[Greg Cody]

How long have you been here? Billy, come on.

[Amin Elhassan]

I'll go through the list if you want. I can't have paprika. Like, we could do that. You'd like that for. I'm gonna do that for three hours.

[Tony]

I just want to get to David. I never thought I'd say that.

[Greg Cody]

Hey, David.

[Stugotz]

Billy. It's baseball season, baby.

[Tony]

It is. It starts tomorrow. I have a Fantasy Draft tonight. 9:00 is very late for a fantasy draft. Baseball fantasy drafts are like, 20. I don't like this one bit, but I have to do it.

[Stugotz]

I need to know who is your first pick, because there are a lot of players that people may not be focused on because of your inside information. You may be able to get somebody really good.

[Tony]

It's a good question. So my league, no one cares about this, so we got to get through this very quickly. So my league, each team gets four keepers, so I need to kind of go through the list of the keepers and even see who's available. It's a whole thing, and somehow it always sneaks up on me. So I need to. I need to cram after the show today. So we'll see.

[Stugotz]

So I'll give you a spoiler alert. The first pick should always be Jimmy Butler. That's right, Billy. You didn't think that I was not listening to the start of the show? To the entire first segment where your guys are talking incessantly about Butler and the ridiculousness of that video. There's no way Pat Riley should have approved. You weren't talking about that, were you?

[Amin Elhassan]

What kind of segue was that? When you guys were doing baseball? Was that. Was that you trying to just talk about what you wanted to talk about? Because he was trying to talk baseball in his fantasy league with you, and you decided to make it about the subject we agreed we weren't going to talk about anymore right now?

[Stugotz]

Yeah, because that was Billy saying, David. And I got a text here offline, say, which no one's supposed to know about. Hey, we only have a second to talk about baseball. We got to talk about Butler. So that's why I want to do that. It was very important to me to get to Jimmy. I actually talked about it in my MLB preview show on Nothing Personal, which I don't have a clip for you to show, which I wish I had, but I don't. But I did a whole preview of the season. But I did work in the craziness of the decision of whether or not you do a video, whether who approves that, how it works, because we have that kind of stuff all the time.

[Amin Elhassan]

Dan, so what would you have done?

[Stugotz]

Oh, because of the way he left. There's no video. We would not have even told the umpire to pause the game at the first at bat of that player if that player came back to have an at bat against us. Because normally you have to get permission from the umpire actually, in order to pause the game for the player to step out, tip the cap, get the ovation from the, you know, 749 people there. So we don't do that. We wouldn't have done that for a player who left in that way.

[Amin Elhassan]

I mean, that's being an ass, though, right? Everybody would have noticed that, and it would have inflamed the entire situation. Like this is. Is this not a part? I mean, I don't even say this to mock you. The Miami Heat has an OR as an organization. They try to represent class. I don't know that that's something that.

[Stugotz]

You guys sent the implication, Dan, that, listen, we did not honor Bobby Cox because Bobby Cox said things that were against our organization. I'm sure it's somewhere that you can look up. It was. It became a big deal. But we stuck to our principles that if you're going to be critical of us, we're not going to open a window for you to be celebrated. So I don't think that it's about class. It's about accountability, which is a concept that I wish more people understood. You can't act like Jimmy acted and expect that it's going to be butterflies and unicorns when you come back. It should be, you're. You're an enemy on the different team. See you later. And you're welcome. I would have liked a full page ad in the paper from Jimmy thanking Pat Riley for allowing him to get paid this season. Because I would have suspended him the rest of the year, or if the union made me, I would have sat him at the end of the bench for the rest of the year.

[Greg Cody]

I think, David, the issue here is it's not about Jimmy Butler. It's what you project to the rest of basketball. And for them, I think they did the right thing. This is like, yes, you might be angry about things someone has said and done, and yes, internally, you might be go f yourself. But you say the thing that causes the least amount of waves. In the same way that, David, you said that when the Panthers won the Stanley cup. If you had been in The Marlins, you guys would have been MF ing like, damn. But externally, you say congratulations to the Panthers. Why? Is it because you owe anything to them? No, it's because you want to project that, hey, we are a place that does it right, even when we have been wronged. And that is what you want carrying forward. Not. Those are the petty guys that hate when the other team across town won their championship.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, I would do that for a team in my city, absolutely. But that has nothing to do with rewarding player empowerment or rewarding what Jimmy Butler did to get himself out of Miami. You're comparing apples to peanuts.

[Greg Cody]

No, I'm not saying to you, what's the reward? Just like, what's the harm in saying congratulations over there? What's the reward in not doing a 30 second of that video? That wasn't. I mean, it was kind of toothless, to be honest with you, but they did the bare minimum so that no one can ever say, you petty MFers, you guys didn't do anything when this guy came back. Which is, again, it's not about Jimmy Butler. It's about every future free agent, every future player, star player who'd want to come here. They don't want to have the feeling that, hey, man, if I ever forced my way out or have to force my way out, they're going to bury me too.

[Stugotz]

That's what it's about, an alternate universe. I mean, and let's go to the universe where there was no video. Are you spending the first 40 minutes of the show talking about the fact that the Heat are a classless organization for not honoring Jimmy Butler with the video and then imagining that it would have been whether it was a great one minute video with. With sound or whether it was an ordinary video. Is that what your position would have been had there been none?

[Greg Cody]

If there had been no video, it absolutely would have been the A1 topic of, oh, my God, they didn't even play the video. And I'm going to tell you what, David. Yesterday they did the intros. A guard from Da Da Da, Moses Moody, a blah, blah, blah forward from Michigan State, Draymond Green. And then after 4, I was like waiting for them, for the guys just to say, and number 20, number 10, Jimmy Butler. I thought they were going to do that and that was it. And then there was a silence and I was like, holy shit, are they just going to announce four guys and then move on to the home? I literally thought that's where they were going with. Because that video took a delay. Jeremy, back Me up did.

[Jessica]

No, there was like a three second delay that felt like an eternity. Because you were wondering what's going to happen right now.

[Greg Cody]

And had they gone directly from four guys. All right, now we're going to start talking about the Heat. Absolutely. That would have been a one not only for our show, but every sports show across the country.

[Stugotz]

This will make Dan crazy, but I want to mention the name John Condon. John Condon is a, was a very famous announcer at Madison Square Garden. And when a former player would come back, he would announce and he was an amazing announcer. And when a player would come back and number four, Jimmy Butler and it would just be in sort of a matter of fact. David, job done. You've got to announce this.

[Greg Cody]

David, I'm going to tell you right now, I know John Condon. You, sir, are no John Conan fan. Because when Patrick Ewing came back as a Seattle Sonic, he, they announced. And number 33, Patrick Yoink, he did.

[Stugotz]

That because it was. Hold on, are you comparing Patrick Ewing? He did not talk his way out of New York. That was.

[Greg Cody]

The hell he did it. The hell he did it. That's the reason why they traded him. David. This, this is my wheelhouse now. This is my wheelhouse. Patrick Ewing was like, pay me a gajillion dollars. The Knicks were like, you're 100 years old and you just broke your wrist and you tore your Achilles and did all these things. We don't want to do that. So then he said, well then trade me. And then he ends up getting traded to Seattle in a three way deal that sends Glenn Rice from the Lakers to the Knicks.

[Stugotz]

One of the worst trades in the history of the Knicks. The fact that they took back assets for that when they just could have let him go. He just didn't want to be let go. So the Knicks moved him. But without debating Patrick Ewing, we're talking about how the Knicks handled his return. He did not leave in a blaze of hatred and rancor when it came to his relationship with the public and with the Knicks the way Jimmy did. Jimmy had been suspended. I can't remember. I mean, is it twice or three times during the course of this season alone? Yes, it was not like that with Patrick.

[Greg Cody]

But that, but that was, that was a Miami Heat decision, right? Miami Heat took. And, and I'm not, I'm not saying it was the right decision, the wrong decision. I'm just saying it's very, very rare. The path that they took not only to suspend him, but then to choose to fine him through the Rules of the CBA at the higher fine amount than what is a typical suspension. So that was more about the Heat. The Heat behaving in a way that was unorthodox in the situation than about Jimmy Butler doing something that was highly unheard of.

[Stugotz]

You can't say something's unorthodox, actually, when it's in the four corners of a cba, you know that you have to operate within the confines.

[Greg Cody]

I know.

[Stugotz]

No, no. But actually, don't.

[Greg Cody]

Don't play. Don't play verbal gymnastics with me when I say unorthodox. You know what I mean? I'm not saying they went outside of the rules of the cba. I'm saying they took a path that is least taken among teams who are faced with that kind of situation, which happens yearly in our league. Nobody takes the path that they took, but they took it. It was well within their right to. But we all know that's not a recourse. In the same way that, David, if you took my sandwich out of the fridge, I could call the cops and say theft, and it would be within my right to say, this guy stole my lunch, even though I had my name on it. Even though we know that most people are just grown up enough to handle it without turning into a 911 call.

[Stugotz]

I mean, it would be petty larceny at best. Unless you got this amazing sandwich from the daily.

[Greg Cody]

That's my point, David.

[Stugotz]

What Jimmy Butler did was Grand Theft Auto.

[Greg Cody]

Oh.

[Stugotz]

It's not just that he missed a plane gta. This was a pattern of behavior over the course of years. Even when they were winning, you had a Heat organization that couldn't stand him.

[Greg Cody]

You're playing a semantics game right now. I'm telling you that a lot of the rancor, or there was a good amount of rancor that was created by how the Heat reacted to the situation. And I'm not saying that they were wrong to do that. I'm just saying it's part of the pie that was baked. And so when you talk about, hey, Patrick Ewing, or John Condon never does that, I'm like, we did it for Patrick Ewing. Well, Patrick Ewing didn't leave in bad terms. Yes, he did. It wasn't cuddly. Like, guys, it was great. Hey, no, we got you, too, Patrick. Have fun. It wasn't like that. Both sides were kind of hurt because the Knicks wanted him to retire Nick, and he was like, I want to get paid. And he ended up leaving as a result. And so. But yet when he came back, they did not say F that guy. Who the hell does he think he is that he should get paid? You know what? Just say his name. Regular John. Do that. Because it doesn't take much to just do the thing. So everyone gives, like, a nice golf clap, and then if you want to boo every time he touches it after that, you're well within your right.

[Stugotz]

No one booed Patrick Ewing when he touched the ball. As a member of any team, he was celebrated every single time. It's just a bad example. I do know there are players that we could have mentioned. You could have mentioned. You could have mentioned a Latrell Sprewell as an example, But Patrick Ewing, to me, was just a bad example.

[Amin Elhassan]

We seem to have dueling wheelhouses here, and I'd like to get to the bottom of it. I'd like to see who's got the better wheelhouse here between Amin and David Sampson. And even though it's not the most current thing to talk about today, who's got it right when it came to Jimmy to Patrick Ewing, Is it Amin who knows his basketball history, or is it David Sampson, who was a heckler at one time, who would sit in the stands and legitimately heckle Knicks basketball team?

[Greg Cody]

And they. And they Bo Patrick going while he was a Knick, by the way.

[Stugotz]

So I would never heckle the Knicks. That's incorrect. Actually. I would only heckle the road teams because I was lucky enough to sit two rows behind the owners of every team that came into the Garden. And it was about 20ft from the visitor's bench. So Charles Barkley's given me the finger and threatened to fight me. And it's been a whole. It was a whole part of my life. It was a Robin. Oh, God. I'm having a moment on live tv.

[Greg Cody]

Robin.

[Stugotz]

Say Robin. Thicker. Thicker.

[Greg Cody]

Thicker with an F. Thicker. You know why I knew that? Because it's my wheelhouse.

[Amin Elhassan]

I think he's going to.

[David Sampson]

He got.

[Amin Elhassan]

I think he's going to out wheelhouse you here. I don't. Sampson, I think you've met your match here. Like, whatever you think you know here, you don't know.

[Greg Cody]

This is hallowed ground right here. Like, you want to talk about the World cup or something else. Like, you know, cricket. Well, okay, I'll concede.

[Stugotz]

And 90s NBA. That's my wheelhouse. That's before I was ever in the sports business. I was so deep into the NBA that I can talk about Larry Demick all night long. Lionel, please. Please don't. I can do whatever you want. No, you don't accuse me of not having an NBA wheelhouse.

[Amin Elhassan]

What I'm accusing both of you of here because it feels like you guys are misremembering a whole lot of things. The money got in Patrick Ewing's way as well. The endings on these things are never. They're hardly ever what you want them to be. Like, that's. It is so very hard to break up with an. With an aging superstar.

[Greg Cody]

Dan, you know what this is like? This is like the Seinfeld episode where he had the perfect breakup and no one believed him. Like, what? No, that doesn't happen. Like, no, no. We really both looked at it.

[David Sampson]

We're just friends.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, we're just friends.

[Tony]

This is nothing like a Seinfeld episode.

[Greg Cody]

Isn't it?

[David Sampson]

Actually is.

[Jessica]

Is it this episode at least notice.

[Tony]

That a record number of college players entered a transfer porter yesterday.

[Greg Cody]

Entered what?

[Jessica]

The what?

[Tony]

Transfer portal.

[Greg Cody]

Oh, that's what that was.

[Stugotz]

That's a true story. Billy. What a crazy thing that they have the portal open during the tournament when we should be focusing on the sweet 16 and you all got what you want. You wanted players to get paid. You wanted them to be in the union. Now 700 plus of them go into the portal. It's crazy.

[Amin Elhassan]

You and Skipper were arguing about this, and it seemed like one of the best arguments I've seen between you two, because you do a great job on the Sporting class with Pablo Torre and John Skipper talking about sports business. And he said something that got aggregated, which is that March Madness and all this stuff can go to pay per view and you can stop nil entirely the entire mess of free market capitalism. Not surprising that he would want some governance over that. I was surprised to hear you say no freedom for everybody.

[Stugotz]

Well, that's always. That's actually always been my position, Dan. I'm the one who fought with the union in baseball. I wanted players to get free agency immediately and have it every single year. And now a player in baseball, they have to be with the team for six years before they get free agency. And the union would never agree to it because they thought that players wouldn't be able to earn their pay each year and you'd be actually losing money as a player to do that. And I was willing to say, always be free. And that's what college players are. They are free agents. Even when they sign long term nil deals if they're not paid or there's any way to get into the portal, which there is. They just go to the next highest bidder. And what Skipper was saying is what he wants is just a super conference. He wants Yankees, Red Sox, every day, every game on national television. He wants North Carolina, Duke, every game, every round of every series and every round of the NCAA tournament. And to me, one of the exciting things are the upsets. And what he countered with is that an upset would be anybody who's not favored. If it's North Carolina, Duke, and North Carolina is favored by five and Duke wins, that's an upset that would make fans happy. And I just had a fundamental disagreement. It's really fun to root for the underdog during these tournaments.

[Greg Cody]

David, I have to agree with you. I think someone did this years ago, I think about 10 years ago. But what is the perfect formula for March Madness? And the perfect formula is first couple of days upsets, we get to sweet 16. I want to say you want two or three Cinderellas by the elite eight, maybe one by final four. You want four blue bloods. So there is an element, you need that little bit of people like, wow, St. Mary's really making a run. But by the time we get to the end, we don't want anything.

[Amin Elhassan]

The numbers are good on this tournament. Everybody wants the action. It's uniforms running up and down and it's all a lot of fun. But when you're talking about some of the stuff that you guys are talking about, which is the business of this, that keeps becoming more and more expensive with streaming and more and more isolated, the solution fragmented, I should say. When John Skipper says the solution is stop what you're doing now and make it something that is pay per view and have it be something that is more organized as a made for television event.

[Jessica]

His quote specifically was, why wouldn't you create four super conferences, 64 teams, and that's your governing body. Who else has a governing body which is an independent third party? Why don't four college conferences go, hey, we're going to do our own basketball tournament, 64 teams. We'll sell that for $1.5 billion and we'll divide amongst our schools and will further separate the haves from the have nots.

[Stugotz]

It is shocking to me what a socialist capitalist he is pretending to be in that instance. And that was part of what we talked about on the Sporting class was that it's hard to have it both ways the way he wants it. So I hear that quote and I heard it live. Jeremy and I just tried to push back a little bit and talk about a world where that exists, because wouldn't you look at the US and and argue that there's a world where it's a really few number of haves and a real big number of have nots. And how is it that you are coming to grips with that? And he's suggesting that there is a college basketball formula and football and professional sports formula where you are focused solely on the haves.

[Greg Cody]

Well when you ask how does that working out for the haves it's working out great in this country, right? Rich people are richer than they've ever been before. But I want to ask you David, did you ever watch the documentary on Apple TV or Apple plus about the super league in Europe about how they try to create a super league? Cuz American businessmen came in and said hey Chelsea, hey man u why are you guys like in this UEFA thing? Make your own thing, keep all the money. And then what ended up happening was the grassroots like fandom was so upset by this massive departure from what was tradition that they upended the whole thing. It ruined the business deal and everyone got scared and backed up.

[Amin Elhassan]

That would have been a great. A great business deal was ruined by. You can't do that to the customer. It can't be that. The greed and the capitalism can't be that overt. That was the line, right?

[Greg Cody]

But at the time I remember watching them like yeah, of course in Europe because they stick to their, you know, standards or traditions way more than we do here. We are much more malleable people. That's why we have a lot more convenient things here than in Europe. But having said that, I wonder if this would have been the line, David, do you think the people would have risen up and said no, no, I'm a Duke fan, I'm a North Carolina fan. I don't want to go into this weird super league thing. I want to play. I want to watch Wolford have a chance to kind of play one of us.

[Stugotz]

So what's interesting about that? And yes, of course I've seen it and covered it. One what fascinated. Do you remember who led that? It was led by the American owners of EPL teams who were trying to do things like John Henry couldn't do as owner of the Red Sox because he doesn't have the votes. Because he would do it right now, today. He would create a super league in Major League Baseball and would he do it with his Penguins? You know, wait to see. But in terms of baseball, that's what he's wanted. Why would. Except when he owned the Marlins, why would I pay money for teams to beat me When I can just keep paying the teams around me who are as big as I am and we can keep a bigger share of the money. And what we used to say to him, John, what happened to you? I can't believe how you've changed given what you now own versus what you did. But do you think that your revenue would be the same if your schedule was that you played the Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs 50 times each in 150 game season? So the argument has always been that you need to have a full league. And what John Skipper was saying is, was sort of an amalgam of the concept, which is keep it at 64 teams, but forget these automatic bids from these ridiculous conferences that no one's ever heard of. Forget Yale having an opportunity to beat Texas A and M in the first round. Just keep it to the four main conferences. So then what happens? Amin is the ACC and Big east say, here's an idea, why don't we merge? This was Dan Hurley thinking about this, talking to Coach K. Let's form a 2019 conference and see if we can't be the big man on campus. And so where everybody is simply going to is they want the lion's share of the money the year in which they deserve it. And they don't think about the years in which they stink. So that's how this happens.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's been one year. Okay, one. It's a super small sample size. But Chalk won. And it was not madness. It wasn't what it usually is for buzzer beaters and upsets and everything else. 12 over a 5 is not any kind of rare. It often happens. So there weren't any stunners. And J. Williams says that Nil has ended the Cinderella based on this year. That seems to me like that wouldn't have any tethers to truth. It's a one sample size situation. But is there a chance that this keeps happening this way because of money differences in the sport? Like what? It seems like an overreaction that he's saying this one year, that's an aberration.

[Greg Cody]

I'd like to jump in for a second, David. Number one, a couple of years ago Miami went to a final Four fueled off of just snorting pure uncut nil. Right? Like that's how they did it and some other stuff, right? The nil and the transport portal actually accelerates this because people are going to be able to bring up a bag of money and say, look, let me go after this kid who for whatever reason didn't get enough touches or enough shots or enough minutes in his situation and it's going to create more randomness. I think, you know, to pretend like this is a result of nil. First of all, this is not the first year of nil. It's not first year transfer portal to me, it's just going to increase the randomness. What do you think, David?

[Stugotz]

It's two things. One, it's people saying that Yankees Dodgers were in the World Series last year. Look how broken baseball is. But the year before was the Rangers and Diamondbacks. So you certainly can't look at a one year sample. And the second thing I would offer you is we talked about Steph Curry earlier in the show today. Steph Curry has made a commitment that he wants to see and I mean this is not my wheelhouse. Davidson, he wants to see them become a force. If he wants to pour in the type of money required to do the type of recruiting to make Davidson look like and feel like Duke, I'm all for that. Let him do that for his alma mater and let teams decide which years they're going to really go for it or not. That makes it like any other league where sometimes you're winning, sometimes you're losing, but never be in the middle.

[Tony]

Let's talk about something that makes watching college hoops even better. Evan Williams Bourbon it's game day's number one pour. The perfect addition. From tip off traditions to buzzer beater celebrations, this award winning bourbon is extra aged for a taste that's smooth, rich and easy to enjoy. Whether neat on the rocks or in a classic cocktail. Personally, I like to drink it on the rocks. So whether it's a pre game pour or a post win nightcap, make every game day moment even better with Evan Williams. Visit evanwilliams.com to find a bottle near you. Evan Williams Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey Bardstown, Kentucky 43 to 45% alcohol by volume. Enjoy responsibly. 21 and older.

[Dan LeBatard]

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. Yeah, no. 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.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

No hassle.

[Amin Elhassan]

None.

[Dan LeBatard]

That is super convenient.

[Stugotz]

Sell your car to Carvana and swap hassle for convenience.

[Billy Corben]

Pickup fees may apply.

[Jessica]

So I've been trying to be a little healthier here at the start of the year. I didn't exactly do that through a lot of last year. And it's really important to, you know, find the right ways to be able to eat and exercise. And if you're ready to optimize your nutrition. This year, Factor has chef made gourmet meals that make eating well easy. They're dietitian approved and ready to heat in just two minutes so you can fuel and feel great no matter what life throws at you. Factor arrives fresh and fully prepared, perfect for any active, busy lifestyle like those of us in the shipping container. But with 40 options across eight dietary preferences on the menu each week, it's easy to pick meals tailored to your goals. Choose from preferences like Calorie Smart, protein plus, or that keto diet. Reach your goals this year with ingredients you can trust and convenience that can't be beat. And, guys, I can tell you this from my own personal experience. The honey mustard chicken meal is absolutely delicious. It literally tastes like you're going to a restaurant. I've really been enjoying Factor meals. Eat smart with Factor. Get [e-mail] Dan50OFF and use code Dan50OFF to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. That's code [e-mail] Dan 50OFF to get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box.

[Stugotz]

Dan Levatar Taytas stugats. Taytas.

[Tony]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats.

[Amin Elhassan]

Before the end of this segment, I would to have a Patrick Ewing off between David Sampson and Amin to see who has the greater wheelhouse. It's one of the most pathetic things to ever happen around here, but they're both entrenched in their positions that they know more about the Patrick Ewing era than the other one does. Before I do that, though, I want to ask you, the group as well, have any of you seen Adolescence on Netflix?

[David Sampson]

Literally just talking about him on the last episode. Dan, I don't know if you want to spoil it. Have you seen the whole thing yet?

[Amin Elhassan]

I have, yes.

[Tony]

Spoiler Wednesday.

[Jessica]

Spoiler Wednesday. Spoiler Wednesday.

[Stugotz]

Careful.

[David Sampson]

And it doesn't come out on, though, so we can't talk about it yet.

[Amin Elhassan]

So anyway, this is one of the most popular shows on Netflix and David, I need you to. What happened? David, what do you.

[Stugotz]

It's. It's already all out. What do you mean an episode is coming out on Sunday?

[David Sampson]

No, no, I'm saying it didn't because we talked about White Lotus for spoiler Wednesday. So the shows that come out Sunday, the spoiler day is Wednesday.

[Amin Elhassan]

He's just Worried in general. Our audience has reacted very poorly to me, particularly ruining shows because I told them all that Goggins came out with his penis.

[Greg Cody]

What?

[Tony]

So Wednesday it's okay.

[Stugotz]

It was Isaac's, by the way.

[Amin Elhassan]

No, no, no, no. Isaacs is a different thing. That's a different thing.

[Greg Cody]

He's talking about Goggins on Righteous Gemstones.

[Amin Elhassan]

I'm talking. Yes, you're talking about White Lotus. Get your front. Get your penises right, David. Okay, please. Thank you. I would appreciate.

[Stugotz]

I would like to be.

[Amin Elhassan]

You're smug. No, you're smug, though. You're smug. Okay, I was talking about a different penis and you're like, no, no, I know which penis you're talking about. Let me correct you with my penis. It's annoying.

[Stugotz]

I have no illusion that I'm anything other than Jewish. I would like to point out. Never heard that.

[Amin Elhassan]

I don't want to do this.

[Stugotz]

Literally never heard that.

[Amin Elhassan]

I don't want to do this.

[David Sampson]

You brought it up.

[Amin Elhassan]

I brought it up.

[David Sampson]

You did bring up the penis.

[Stugotz]

You're talking about penises, not yours.

[Amin Elhassan]

I was not talking about yours in any way. Didn't care about yours. Wasn't asking about yours.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, yeah, kind of. I'm curious. What just happened? I sort of didn't really understand penis.

[Jessica]

Then I heard Jewish.

[Dan LeBatard]

I heard something about Jewish penises and my ears perked up. Samson, just. Can you extrapolate?

[Stugotz]

Well, I can only elongate the segment if you'd like me to, but the fact is that it is thought to be that Jewish men do not have large penises. That's been the expression. And people often say, hey, I'm Jewish only from the waist up.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, that's not my experience.

[Jessica]

Mine either.

[Tony]

Shout out to Lehman. Huh?

[Dan LeBatard]

Mystery. Great heads.

[Jessica]

No.

[Stugotz]

Can we talk about adolescence?

[David Sampson]

Yeah. Don't spoil it, though. I'm on again. I'm on the last episode. I'm halfway through the last episode, David, where they're driving in the car and there's that long scene of them driving in the car.

[Stugotz]

Okay, that is so. Did you know, watching this show, that the father is also the writer? Did you know that going in?

[David Sampson]

I did not. I know he's in Peaky Blinders and I loved him in Peaky Blinders.

[Stugotz]

Okay, so Stephen Graham wrote a four episode arc called Adolescence, and he cast a kid who had never acted before.

[Amin Elhassan]

That kid was so good, David. I was stunned. I get so mad at child actors for being cruddy and things that I would otherwise like because it's hard to be A good child actor. That kid was so good.

[Stugotz]

He had never acted before that. And one of the rules. He had never taken an acting class when they did the casting. And Stephen Graham has gone public with this. We would not look at video or tape or auditions of anyone who had any acting experience of any kind. Like in your eighth grade school play. I would have been eliminated for doing My Sister Eileen in seventh grade. This guy Stephen Graham said, we're going to find a kid who is completely My sister Eileen. Is that an old reference to Danny? You making fun of me? I mean.

[Amin Elhassan]

No, I didn't make fun of anything, but Tony made a face.

[David Sampson]

I mouthed, what?

[Amin Elhassan]

Tony. Tony made a face. This look. David.

[David Sampson]

David, am I going to do David.

[Amin Elhassan]

Your Every segment for so long? Is that as you say things like that and Tony has a look like that and it's everybody, because. Yes, that was the correct way to react to that reference. Go ahead, tell us about your sister Eileen. Go ahead.

[Stugotz]

It's. No, no, that's the name of the show. I know it's a play.

[Amin Elhassan]

My Sister Eileen. Go ahead.

[Stugotz]

Who's on first?

[Greg Cody]

David.

[Stugotz]

What?

[Dan LeBatard]

What's on second?

[Stugotz]

Back to the Him. Him.

[Amin Elhassan]

Wait a minute.

[Stugotz]

I miss Greg.

[Greg Cody]

Love this episode.

[Amin Elhassan]

What was that? What was that?

[Greg Cody]

That was Akbar Domestique right there.

[Stugotz]

Me losing a fiver is what that was.

[Amin Elhassan]

Oh, that's a bigger fine than that. I feel like. I feel like that.

[Stugotz]

You can't make up the fines they're agreed to.

[Jessica]

Well, so cba.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. We have a set fine that people are supposed to pay into the Venmo bucket. And what I just did was a word garble. And a word garble is a fiver.

[Greg Cody]

Is it it? Are we fighting for one?

[David Sampson]

Got five on it. Don't worry about. He's got.

[Amin Elhassan]

All right, so $5. So you were saying about adolescents.

[Stugotz]

I was saying that what to Tony, that what they did with this kid is they brought him in and they just said they gave him the script, and they just started talking to him and saying, can you read some lines? They cast him, and he ends up giving what is probably the best performance by a child actor. And without recency, bias, or hyperbole that you'll see in your life. Life. And will he grow up to be an amazing actor and to be Daniel Day Lewis or Denzel Washington, who knows? But he'll always have adolescence. But the reason to watch the show is that it is an. And I watched it with subtitles, even though it's in English, because there's so many references that Stephen Graham makes in the dialogue. It is really about how you deal with a child and how you deal with the Internet and how you deal with thinking that you know what your child's doing when they close their door and how kids. We all used to close our doors when we were growing up. Except when we closed our doors, we were Max from Where the Wild Things Are. It was just our imagination. Now kids, when they close their doors, it's actually opening a door to the entire world and it's scary. Don't do it to me, Dan.

[Amin Elhassan]

No, Jessica was laughing about. I don't know what Jessica was laughing about. I want to know what she was laughing about. Sorry.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, I just. Some people only need their imagination sometimes.

[David Sampson]

What a Wild things are.

[Stugotz]

Are we going to argue over the point that kids, when they're sent to their rooms with electronic devices, have access to more things than when I was growing up and got sent to my room? It's a different world and parents are on the other side of the door not understanding what's actually happening with a child.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, we're not going to argue over that. That is very true. I agree.

[Stugotz]

And it should scare the bejesus out of us. And when you watch this four episode arc, you are seeing a manifestation of what could be happening in your very own house with your own kids. And it is horrifying. And it's not a horror movie. It is horrifying, but it is so well done, so well acted. And I just think it's critical that you all watch it.

[Greg Cody]

David, quick question because I haven't watched the show. Are you telling me in the show the kid gets like sent to his room for punishment and they let him take his iPad with him?

[David Sampson]

No. I'll answer that for you. No.

[Greg Cody]

Okay.

[Amin Elhassan]

All right. So this is just so that I can tell the audience what the show is. Cuz it's worth watching. It's shot very well, differently. A lot of lingering shots. One shots. And the child actor is extraordinary. But where you arrive, if you're a parent watching this is on the playing of probabilities. As a parent, you don't guarantee yourself anything. And whatever guilt you have have as failing as a parent, it's heartbreaking and it'll reach you. What this is trying to tell the story of, it's not sending a kid to his room and bad things are happening there in a simplistic sense, without spoiling the movie. A child is capable of murder and you don't know it because you think you know your child. What happened Wait, what?

[David Sampson]

You guys had no idea with electronics.

[Stugotz]

I feel like that's exactly a spoiler spoiler Wednesday, Dan. Come on, Dan.

[Greg Cody]

Jesus.

[David Sampson]

Dan, To. To be fair, okay? And I'm on your side on this.

[Amin Elhassan]

It is Wednesday.

[David Sampson]

It is Wednesday. But if you look at the. If you look at the description on Netflix, the hook is there's something that happens where somebody's murdered.

[Jessica]

That's all I. That's all I even knew about the show at this point. So let's defend Dan.

[David Sampson]

You're. You're good, Dan.

[Greg Cody]

You guys told me I was good on Wednesday.

[Jessica]

Yeah, you're good. You know what?

[Amin Elhassan]

You're good.

[Stugotz]

You're good.

[Dan LeBatard]

In the description of the show, I.

[Amin Elhassan]

Don'T think the way we were doing. If you guys told me on Wednesdays I could say whatever I want. I can't say any other day. I can say whatever I want.

[Greg Cody]

Sunday shows, we had a strong four minute, like prelude till that spoiler. So if anyone who's watching adolescence hasn't got to that part and you're like, oh, we keep listening.

[David Sampson]

It's also within the first six seconds of the show.

[Greg Cody]

Yes. So you're okay, but you're clear, you're good.

[Tony]

We should probably go back to Jimmy Butler.

[David Sampson]

No, no, no, please. Are you sure?

[Amin Elhassan]

We could.

[Greg Cody]

Come on.

[Jessica]

I'd love to.

[David Sampson]

Thanks, Dave. That third episode, the third episode, which is mostly focused on the young boy, his acting was incredible. So for you to tell me that he's never done acting before, he's never taken a class, that third episode is. Is solely focused on him and what happens in where he's at with whom he's with.

[Stugotz]

And it's like, holy Tony, there could be two Emmys there, Billy. I'm sorry? There could be two Emmys. One in that episode. Three.

[David Sampson]

Yes.

[Stugotz]

Both the therapist and the boy.

[David Sampson]

Yes.

[Tony]

So can I ask you as a question. So spoiler alert, Spoiler Wednesday, spoiler alert, turn off. And I can't spoil anything because I don't know, I'm just asking questions here. So this kid is never taking acting classes, but he played the role perfectly of a little kid that turns out to be a murderer.

[David Sampson]

Whoa.

[Tony]

We should probably start like, no, he did it.

[David Sampson]

We don't know.

[Tony]

The kids never learn how to act like a murderer and just naturally takes it up. I think we need to talk.

[Greg Cody]

Billy, as someone who also hasn't watched the show, let me answer your question. Some people are just born with it. Some people can become a character that they're not so convincingly that even Local media people might be suede to write things about these people. They're gifted and we should cherish and praise them and really encourage. I hope this kid has support. Yeah, like, hey, you should do more of this kid. You should have more opportunities like this and you should be compensated while you're.

[Stugotz]

Still on the outside.

[Jessica]

Yeah, I mean Amin is a top tier actor. We know that. It's a, it's a mean one A. Greg Cody, one B. In terms of actors, he could have been Goggins.

[Tony]

Dan.

[David Sampson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Greg Cody]

Two movies.

[Amin Elhassan]

What can I say, David, the baseball season is starting and I don't know whether I could muster any enthusiasm for from Billy on the baseball season because of the state of the Marlins.

[Stugotz]

Well, let me give you a way to do it tomorrow. All eyes are on Marlins Park. It's the best pitching matchup in all of baseball, happening only moments from your studio right now at about 4:10pm it may be sold out, but I bet there's tickets on the secondary market. But Paul Skeens of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who is the favorite to win the Cy Young Award as a second year player coming off his rookie of the year and third or second place finish last year. Jeremy, I don't remember which is going against Sandy Alcantara who's coming back from injury, who's been locked in already. This is a matchup that you're not going to get often throughout the season, whether you're a Dodger, Yankee, Mets fan, whoever you are. That's an unbelievable game. You may not have heard of the position players for the Marlins or the Pirates, but the good old fashioned starting pitching matchup, get yourself to Marlins park tomorrow for opening day.

[Tony]

They're also selling, I think special like ticket packages where you can get like a commemorative shirt of the matchup. David, wouldn't you guys sometimes do things where like you would pitch your ace day two because you knew you were going to sell out opening day and then it's like, well you can see Jose game two though.

[Stugotz]

No, we know you want to. You want to line up your rotation for your best pitcher to start the first game. And we would always go against the other team's best pitcher and we knew it. And remember all the talk about who's your opening day starter, it doesn't really matter because the rotations change so much during the course of the season. But no, you want your best out there no matter what.

[Amin Elhassan]

Opening Day, Nothing personal is the name of the podcast. He does it daily beginning live every day at 8am thank you, David.

[Stugotz]

Thank you.

[Jessica]

So I've been trying to be a little healthier here at the start of the year. I didn't exactly do that through a lot of last year. And it's really important to, you know, find the right ways to be able to eat and exercise. And if you're ready to optimize your nutrition this year, Factor has chef made gourmet meals that make eating well easy. They're dietitian approved and ready to heat in just two minutes so you can fuel and feel great no matter what life throws at at you. Factor arrives fresh and fully prepared, perfect for any active, busy lifestyle like those of us in the shipping container. But with 40 options across eight dietary preferences on the menu each week, it's easy to pick meals tailored to your goals. Choose from preferences like Calorie Smart, Protein plus, or that Keto Diet. Reach your goals this year with ingredients you can trust and convenience that can't be beat. And guys, I can tell you this from my own personal experience. The Honey Mustard chicken meal is absolutely delicious. It literally tastes like you're going to a restaurant. I've really been enjoying Factor meals. Eat smart with Factor. Get [e-mail] Dan50OFF and use code Dan50OFF to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. That's code [e-mail] Dan 50OFF to get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box.

[Billy Corben]

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

[Stugotz]

Did you hear that?

[Billy Corben]

Yep. That's my new favorite lip gloss from Nyx Cosmetics. Now I'm ready to talk to you. I've been a huge fan of Nyx Cosmetics for many years now. In fact, I use their Thick It Stick it brow gel every single day. So you can imagine my excitement when we recently received a special delivery to the Lebatard Studios from our friends over at NYX Cosmetics. And there it was when I opened the box. Glowing. I heard the angels sing. It's their latest lip gloss Fat Oil Lip Drip. It's Nyx Cosmetics first lip oil of its kind. This creamy lip oil will have your lips dripping with fat perks. You get all the shine of a lip gloss and none of the stickiness while experiencing 12 hour hydration. I'm usually a matte lip gloss kind of gal. My normal go to is Nyx Cosmetics Lip Gloss the lingerie xxl. But after applying the status update shade, I have found my new go to lip gloss Fat Oil Lip Drip has high shine finish with comfortable wear and none of the sticky texture. A lip product that's hydrating, non sticky and only $9. Now that's a win. Try Fat Oil Lip Drip from Nyx Professional makeup, available in 14 universally flattering shades. Find your perfect fat oil lip drip. Shop [e-mail] or a retailer near.