Podcast Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: The Big Suey: Zaslow Is An Excellent Speller
Guests: Dave Damashek, Mike Ryan, Jeremy Woo, and others
Date: January 30, 2026
Main Theme:
A spirited and irreverent discussion blending current sports topics (especially the looming Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, NFL quarterback debates, and the Super Bowl), the art of sports spelling, Miami sports success, and the culture of podcast banter, with a recurring tone of self-deprecation, inside jokes, and affectionately ruthless ribbing.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Speculation (02:13, 40:47)

• Jeremy Woo dissects Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors involving the Heat, Warriors, and other teams:
  • He contends the Heat have a better package for the Bucks than the Warriors, citing young assets (Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyler Herro, Khale Ware), and the ability to acquire more picks by moving contracts (Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins) for future flexibility.
  • “The picks that they're going to get from the Warriors... are all going to be at the end of the first round. So... the Heat can actually offer you both [blue-chip prospects and future picks].” (03:02, Woo)
• Dan challenges the notion that Milwaukee reporters' opinions on trades matter:
  • “Milwaukee reporters are not the ones making this trade. And I don’t think Milwaukee reporters get to be sources.” (01:45, Dan)

Further Developments (40:47)

• Jeremy elaborates on the complexity of three-team deals, the impact of expiring contracts, Jimmy Butler's diminished trade value post-injury, and Miami's potential to unlock more picks.
  • “All of your picks open up and you have far and away the best package in the NBA for Giannis Antetokounmpo.” (40:44, Woo)

2. Spelling Bee: Antetokounmpo Challenge (04:13 – 07:06)

• Dan Le Batard organizes a spontaneous, hilarious spelling contest for “Antetokounmpo,” creating a classic, playful segment:
  • Multiple failed attempts; Zaslow finally nails it:
    • “A-N-T-E-T-O-K-O-U-N-M-P-O. Ding, ding, ding.” (06:10, Zaslow)
• Dan boasts about his childhood spelling prowess vs. rival Kristen Larson, to muted enthusiasm:
  • “One spring day, Kristen Larson missed a word. And Danishek continued his streak all the way through the fifth grade. Never missed a single word in the spelling quiz.” (06:17, Dan)
• “It is amazing how much more interesting you found that than the rest of us.” (07:06, Damashek)

3. Football Talk: Super Bowl, Quarterbacks, and “Quality of Champions” (08:22 – 18:51, 15:50 – 18:51)

• Dave Damashek and Dan debate Super Bowl storylines and the meaning of parity:
  • Damashek argues dynasties are measured by who they beat, not just what they win.
    • “The reason I hold up the Pittsburgh Steelers as the greatest dynasty... is because of the competition around them.” (09:24, Damashek)
    • “Parity is...mediocrity. It's just a synonym for mediocrity.” (10:27, Damashek)
• Sam Darnold vs. Drake May: Who is the better bet at QB in the Super Bowl?
  • “What’s the skill set that you want? ...I guess I like at this point Drake May’s skill set better...the deep shots and the ability to functionally scramble.” (16:48–17:28, Dan)
  • Dave highlights Drake May’s anti-blitz numbers: “17 touchdowns, no interceptions.” (17:28, Damashek)
• Uniform Discourse & Patches (18:51–21:16)
  • Mike laments the “clash and atrocity” of this year’s Super Bowl uniforms, wishing for classic Pat Patriot and old Seahawks sets.
    • “This uniform matchup sucks... It's just an atrocity for the eyes.” (19:26, Dan)
  • “If I start shaking my fist and pounding the table about patches on uniforms, I'm just going to make myself loco and hurt my hand.” (21:16, Dan)

4. Miami as ‘Title Town USA’: Big Three Champions Party (27:17–35:17)

• Miami’s championship glow celebrated at a Coconut Grove bash for Miami 305’s Big Three title.
  • “Miami has won four pro sports championships in the last 12 months. We are title Town USA.” (27:17, Mike Ryan)
• Player interviews (Reggie Evans, Lance Stevenson, Mario Chalmers, Jack McClinton)
  • Lance Stevenson: “Hey, look, we still got it, baby.” (29:13, Lance)
  • Mario Chalmers on his case for Hall of Fame:
    • “I agree with the Hall of Fame, but the six, you gotta give to LeBron.” (30:05, Chalmers)
  • Jack McClinton on building teams:
    • “We don’t care about nothing else...We want good energy, we want dogs.” (30:51, McClinton)
• Top “bucket-getters”: NBA greats and Michael Beasley debated (31:41)
  • “You gotta put Bees in there. You gotta put KD, Kobe...MJ.” (31:44, Lance/Dave)

Size Shock

• Hilarious, genuine surprise at former pros’ size:
  • “When I talked to Reggie Evans...his hand was like, from my...tip of my hand to like my elbow.” (35:03, Mike Ryan)
  • “Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. People are often surprised by how big those two people are. This one is funny, Shaq…it's always surprising to people.” (35:47, Damashek)

5. Podcast Meta and Banter

• Dan gets called out for reusing anecdotes from other appearances (22:30–23:34)
  • “He just microwaved the turd, Dan.” (22:48, Mike Ryan)
  • “Mistakes were made, but let's not live life in the rearview mirror, Dan.” (23:34, Dan)
• Leveling and show sound quality commentary
  • “That's on me. I need to be better there with the levels.” (25:30, Chris)
• Endless inside jokes about negativity, “inner monologue” slip-ups, and behind-the-scenes gripes.

6. Introspective Human Moment: Darren Waller on Addiction and Mindfulness (36:27–38:36)

• Clip from Waller’s “South Beach Session” highlights his struggle to sit still and not chase dopamine:
  • “A lot of what my makeup is, is just like the next high, like the next thing...So it's like that 30 minute window of just like absolute nothing.” (37:12, Waller)
  • Dave: “Not even meditation. It's just still with yourself and be comfortable with yourself.” (37:46, Damashek)
• The hosts react with both sincerity and signature crude humor:
  • “If I just sat down for 30 minutes doing that, I’d fall asleep...I’d probably jerk off.” (37:56–38:06, Dan/Mike Ryan)
  • “I stand by it. That was everybody’s 30 minute monologue.” (38:18, Mike Ryan)

7. Rapid Fire & Memorable Quotes

Super Bowl’s Unlikely Matchup:

• “There has never been a 60 to 1 and an 80 to 1 odds teams facing each other. Everybody would be excited about that in the abstract. Why are they less excited about that in the actual?” (08:22, Dan)

On dynasties:

• “What makes them great is the competition.” (09:24, Damashek)

On Spelling:

• “I’m an excellent speller. I can’t speak, but you can spell.” (06:25, Dan)

Self-Awareness:

• “Mistakes were made, but let’s not live life in the rearview mirror, Dan.” (23:34, Dan)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Jeremy Woo:

  • “The Heat can actually offer you both [blue-chip prospects and future picks].” (03:02)
  • “All of your picks open up and you have far and away the best package in the NBA for Giannis Antetokounmpo.” (40:44)

• Dan Le Batard:

  • “I'm not going to apologize for that.” (00:42)
  • “This uniform matchup sucks... It's just an atrocity for the eyes.” (19:26)
  • “I'm an excellent speller. I can't speak, but you can spell.” (06:25)
  • “Mistakes were made, but let's not live life in the rearview mirror, Dan.” (23:34)

• Mike Ryan:

  • “Miami has won four pro sports championships in the last 12 months. We are title Town USA.” (27:17)
  • “If I just sat down for 30 minutes doing that, I’d fall asleep. I’d probably jerk off.” (38:06)
  • “I stand by it. That was everybody’s 30 minute monologue.” (38:18)

• Dave Damashek:

  • “[About Dan’s spelling story] It is amazing how much more interesting you found that than the rest of us.” (07:06)
  • “Parity is...mediocrity. It's just a synonym for mediocrity.” (10:27)
  • “He just microwaved the turd, Dan.” (22:48)

Important Timestamps

• 01:45 – Dan on Milwaukee reporters and the Giannis rumor source
• 02:13 – Jeremy on Heat’s assets in trade offers
• 04:13 – Spelling Bee begins
• 06:10 – Zaslow correctly spells "Antetokounmpo"
• 09:24 – Damashek on dynasties and Steelers’ legacy
• 16:48 – Dan on Drake May’s skillset
• 19:26 – Dan criticizes Super Bowl uniform matchup
• 27:17 – Mike Ryan on Miami’s jam of championships
• 30:05 – Mario Chalmers on his Heat legacy, humility, and Hall of Fame case
• 35:47 – Damashek on athlete size surprises
• 37:12 – Darren Waller on coping strategies for addiction
• 38:06 – Mike Ryan’s deadpan joke about stillness ("I'd probably jerk off")
• 40:44 – Jeremy on Miami's potential unmatched trade package for Giannis

Overall Tone and Feel

• Signature rapid-fire, irreverent, and affectionate chaos—equal parts sharp sports insight, self-satire, expert trolling, and spontaneous, often sophomoric, humor
• Frequent blending of deep sports analysis with show meta commentary
• Affectionate inside jokes and playful eviscerations among hosts and guests
• Willingness to shift abruptly from serious social issues (addiction, mental health) to pure comic relief

For New Listeners

This episode offers a slice of the Dan Le Batard Show’s unique chemistry: witty, ruthless, and warm, with real sports knowledge layered between digressions, spelling bees, and Miami championship celebrations. Whether commiserating over patch-adorned uniforms, deconstructing an NBA blockbuster trade, or reflecting on the human side of professional athletes, the show remains persistently self-aware and always entertaining.