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Tony
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Zaza
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Tony
Have a ball. Cocktails up here feel just right.
Zaza
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Zaza
This is what everyone's talking about.
Dan LeBatard
Everything's on the table.
Zaza
This is what champions come to take.
DraftKings Announcer
This is what everyone came to see. No do overs, no second chances.
Tony
No more Mr. Nice Guy.
Zaza
This is Winner Take All. The NBA Finals continue on ABC and the ESPN app.
Dan LeBatard
This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats podcast.
Chris
This episode of the dan lebatard show is presented by draftkings.
Dan LeBatard
DraftKings.
Chris
The crown is yours.
Zaza
Dave D' Amshek is shocked to learn that I've never played street hockey.
Mike Ryan
I mean, you didn't?
Dave D' Amshek
Well, it was a foundational sport for, for young Dave and, and his contemporaries in elementary school, middle school, all the way up through high school PE class. I mean, at least once a week, the, the plastic hockey sticks and the orange rubber ball broke, broke out for all the kids. All the kids. A delightful sport, but I guess it makes sense down in Florida. That's not a thing. What it, what replaced it, though, what are the PE Classes comprised of? Soccer, I'm guessing. Couldn't be baseball.
Zaza
No, not a lot of soccer. Because you got to remember, at least for me, we're talking 30 years ago, soccer was not big at all here in the States and Really? No.
Dave D' Amshek
In Florida.
Zaza
No, no. And roller hockey, like roller hockey became a pretty big thing here, you know, around when the Panthers, shortly after the Panthers started, which was 1993. But like, I was, I was getting older at that point. I was like high school.
Tony
Played hoops. We played football. Like the sports that got intended.
Zaza
Basketball, football box.
Chris
You know, you are looking at a roller hockey goalie champion from when I was like 11. Cody shines and shootouts still have the headline.
Dave D' Amshek
Oh, well, there you go. Cody say there's some. There's some sense it was indoor with a ball.
Zaza
Cody slam paces drugs.
Chris
Like father, like son.
Zaza
Where was this headline?
Chris
This in a newspaper clipping. Like, I have it in. I have it somewhere. It's just.
Zaza
What newspaper?
Chris
I don't know. Actually, in hindsight, it might. My dad may have made it up also. My dad may have made it happen. It might have been in the Herald.
Zaza
I feel like that's possible.
Chris
Like, it was. Obviously it wasn't like. Yeah, first page.
Dave D' Amshek
He worked hard.
Chris
Page from page. It wasn't front page.
Zaza
Yeah, I feel like that's a possibly no. Boxball, basketball, football, kickball.
Tony
Burn ball.
Zaza
What's burn ball?
Tony
Oh, burn balls. You got a racquetball and you throw it against the wall, right? And then if you drop it, you. You got to run and touch the wall, and the person who's next to you grabs it and tries to hit you before you touch the wall.
Zaza
No, I played that, but I don't think we called it burn ball. But I know what you're talking about.
Chris
I didn't call it box ball. Didn't we call that four square?
Zaza
Yeah, box, four square. Same thing. Yeah, same thing. Yeah. Now that's what we played.
Dave D' Amshek
Kickball. Kickball. Kind of lame now.
Zaza
Nah, kickball's awesome.
Dave D' Amshek
Dodgeball.
Zaza
Yeah, dodgeball's good.
Tony
No, the.
Zaza
The.
Dave D' Amshek
The. All the utility ball.
Tony
The.
Dave D' Amshek
The reddish, you know, PE Ball.
Zaza
Yeah.
Dave D' Amshek
Is better used for dodgeball than kickball. We can all agree. Because you have the skunk who wants a pitch and bounce it in. And that. That's jive. When you start. When you start doing that crap. I'm not interested in it. Dodgeball all the way.
Mike Ryan
It's cute hearing all you non athletes talking about playing sports. I don't got it. Like us, right.
Zaza
All right, so explain. Explain to Dave. Explain to. To everyone out there what the activities that the two of you got involved in last night.
Mike Ryan
We played some pickup hoops. I'm a basketball guy now. I am now.
Zaza
You went to local y?
Mike Ryan
No, no, no, no. I went to more exclusive place. I'm not at liberty to reveal.
Tony
We can't say where. But it's a very nice place.
Mike Ryan
But it's a very nice place. You would never go and, yeah, you would never be invited, but, yeah, this is my third now consecutive week. I hadn't played basketball in a good 15 years. So first one, you know, the cardio. Got sent a message. Second one, feeling A little bit better. Third one. You know, we still have a ways to go, but I. I feel like I impressed.
Zaza
Full court.
Mike Ryan
Yeah, full court. I'm the oldest guy in this game by a pretty decent margin, I think. And look, I'm a. I'm a role player. I'm not out there like the other guys. I don't do the pull up transition three. I know what my role is, and that's to go under the glass and eat my.
Tony
Mike did a great job. To be honest. Like, it's the first time I've seen Mike play basketball. He was a mix between like prime Dennis Rodman and like, Mitchell Robinson.
Zaza
Prime.
Tony
Grabbing boards at all places, putting his body on the line.
Mike Ryan
Mitchell Robinson.
Tony
You had a little floater like Hartenstein, though.
Mike Ryan
I. I was one for one from the field.
Dan LeBatard
Yeah.
Tony
Had like a little floater from like a bunny from like 4 or 5ft away that he put in. But man, Mike was on the floor grabbing boards. He was.
Zaza
You were on the floor.
Dave D' Amshek
Ooh, ooh, ooh. Zaz, are you hearing what I'm hearing? Condescending patronizing tone in Tony. Oh, no, no, no, Mike.
Zaza
No, Mike. A little bit.
Dave D' Amshek
Voice was a little higher than it needed to be as he described.
Mike Ryan
Now, Mike, you don't think I'm prime Dennis Rodman? You don't think I'm prime Dennis Rodman?
Dave D' Amshek
Now listen, Mike. Mike can't score. I mean, completely awkward when he tries to dribble the ball.
Mike Ryan
Yes.
Dave D' Amshek
Doesn't know the rules necessarily.
Mike Ryan
No, I know my problem when I dribble.
Dave D' Amshek
Is that a nosket. He rebounded.
Chris
He's talking out there.
Zaza
My back screen, back door.
Dave D' Amshek
Oh, no.
Mike Ryan
There's a lot of communication. A lot of communication. Yeah. A lot of communication out there. I'm out there stealing the baseline boys. I know my role over there. And yes, I'm not a great dribbler. That's because I dribble the way that Pistol Pete taught me in that instructional video. Everyone else does this carry nonsense. I don't know how it's allowed. I'm out there calling travels and double dribbles and no one's listening to me. But Look, Tony, he's 10 day Tony. It is well known that Tony can hoop. I believe it or not. No, I can't. I'm pretty self aware. So what does someone who wants to play basketball and make positive contributions to his teammates do when he realizes he doesn't have it like that? I don't got the handles. I don't got the j. I go Underneath the rim. And I eat.
Zaza
Put it on the pole. Juju is Mike Ryan's basketball game a mix between prime Dennis Rodman and Mitchell Robinson?
Mike Ryan
Yeah.
Tony
On the offensive glass. He was just a Hoover dam down there. He was just grabbing every single board. That was probably on me as the captain of my team. I probably should have taken a look and be like I'm going to take Mike so I can box him out, fight him down low. Because the guy that was playing him was. Was maybe a little bit more leaky on the fast breaks than he should have been. Which is a whole nother cherry picker. Not a cherry picker, but he would take off early.
Mike Ryan
Guys. If I'm hearing Tony correctly, it seems like the other team had to adjust to Mike.
Tony
We should have is what we did. We ended up losing the series three games.
Chris
The guy that. The guy that went one for one from the field. We should have really dog.
Mike Ryan
It wasn't showing box scores. It wasn't.
Tony
I don't. His plus minus is like plus four. He just grabbing boards.
Chris
Everyone's on the court the whole time.
Mike Ryan
No, but you don't. What a winning player does.
Dave D' Amshek
I. I'm sorry, I gotta cut through this. You're the expert here. It sounds to me like Mike Ryan maybe is a basketball cuck. I'm not as good as the other guys. I'll just be over here if you need me. I'll just be mostly and observe.
Tony
I was.
Dave D' Amshek
I'm just here to help you guys out. You're the stars of the team. How say you, Zazlov?
Zaza
I don't know why you're bringing that to me as if I'm the expert.
Mike Ryan
You are. But look, I don't think anybody would confuse prime Dennis Rodman with being a C. Thank you very much.
Tony
That is true. There's one thing that I did want to say to Mike. A little bit of coaching.
Dave D' Amshek
That's self cucking.
Mike Ryan
It's not.
Dave D' Amshek
Look, you're out there playing basketball. He's got. Michael Jordan is his teammate. He's trying to win the ugly trophy that you get for winning the NBA title. You're playing pickup basketball. Why are you deferential to Tony and your teammates? You can't take shots. I've been. I've been admonished by better teammates in pickup basketball. Why are you shooting there games on the line? Because we're playing pickup basketball and there's no money on the line. What am I when I have to take a backseat to you fat.
Mike Ryan
I play sports to win. You know the Iconic Jimmy Butler practice in which he whooped up on the starters with the backups while he was wearing a Rolex. You know how many baskets Jimmy Butler made in that? According to legend?
Guest Analyst
Zero.
Tony
Zero.
Dave D' Amshek
I don't know, but I think he probably also made $18 million while I did it. What did you make for taking a backseat to Glenn in your pickup basketball game against.
Mike Ryan
There is not.
Dave D' Amshek
His name was Joel.
Mike Ryan
Maybe Glenvar Heights, but there was no Glenn.
Tony
I did want to bring up the. The telestrated.
Dave D' Amshek
I rebounded the whole game. I rebounded.
Zaza
Dave.
Mike Ryan
Second chance points, brother.
Tony
Exactly right.
Mike Ryan
Second chance points.
Tony
When you come down here, I want to see your game and see if you can hold the candles to Mike's.
Dave D' Amshek
It doesn't matter. Guess what I'm gonna be doing shooting and otherwise whatever I want to do in a picture.
Tony
Not if you're on my team. Not if you're on my team.
Mike Ryan
You bring your smoky gray ass down in the paint and let's body up. Let's. Let's see if you can bang with the big boys, huh?
Dave D' Amshek
Well, if I don't make the shot, which I probably won't, Mike will get the rebound. You won't make the shot.
Mike Ryan
You'll get a hand in your face with a like a 7 out of 10 closeout depending on which game we're playing. If it's game four, it's going to be about a four out of 10. But it's going to be close out.
Dave D' Amshek
I'm a great teammate in pickup basketball game with no stakes. I work hard at defending the.
Tony
Enough of the hate. Enough of the hate. Let's do some love.
Mike Ryan
40, brother. There's a stake every time I run it up and down the court. Not tear my Achilles.
Tony
Yes. Which Manny I think did hurt his knee.
Zaza
That is that my clothes out. That is the go to fear. Nowadays when you're 40 and you're playing pickup basketball, the go to fear is tearing the Achilles, Right?
Tony
Yeah.
Dan LeBatard
Yeah.
Tony
It's something you got to put back in the. In the depths of your mind.
Zaza
It's never something you would think about when you were in your 20s, but now in your 40s. I hope I don't tear my Achilles.
Tony
So we're going to.
Mike Ryan
There's a right now getting the ball at the highest point.
Guest Analyst
Yeah.
Mike Ryan
That's what I do.
Tony
I should got to put a. A a shit down there. So he lowers himself.
Mike Ryan
So you know what? You know what terrifies me when I see someone north of fear? Because they know all I gotta do is put a Little bow in my ribs.
Tony
An elbow right there between rib two and three. You're not going anywhere. So enough of the hate from Dave Damaschek. No, no, no, Dave. Don't even put your finger up. I'm gonna do a little bit of coaching here. A little bit of love for Mike Ryan, because there was one play in particular that I wanted to coach him up on the spot, but I hit the game winner, and everybody walked off the court, so I couldn't do that. So I'm gonna pull up the whiteboard right here, and I'm gonna get the telestrator, and I'm gonna do a little work. X's and O's here.
Mike Ryan
Was it a 3, 2 series? I thought it was 4 1.
Tony
No, it was 3 2.
Dave D' Amshek
Let's go.
Tony
Roll it. Wait, get it here on my. On my iPad here. Here we go.
Dave D' Amshek
I'm like Kurt Rambis.
Tony
Okay, clothesline somebody.
Zaza
Tony, how's the telestrator working out for you?
Tony
I don't know. I see your ugly mug on it. I can't change that.
Zaza
Yeah, it's not going so great.
Tony
Suffice to say, I'm gonna get gq. Hold on.
Chris
All right, this one, not my fault.
Zaza
While Tony figures out how to use the telestrator so he could break down a combination of prime, Dennis Rodman and Mitchell Robinson. And show got after it.
Dave D' Amshek
I once, I have to say, this is. There are moments when you're with grown up fellas and things get so One time, I, I, I used to write on the man show, and one time early on, we went outside to have a. A group football catch. Yeah, let's just go outside a little bit to throw it around a little bit. And one guy attempted a throw, and it was so bad. It was. You know, some people look like they've never thrown a ball in their life, and it's a little uncomfy. But one guy threw it so poorly that it transcended ribbing.
Zaza
What made it so poor? Like, you throw silly.
Dave D' Amshek
You throw silly. He's like, oh, my.
Zaza
Like, was it right foot in front? Like, like, what made it so poor?
Dave D' Amshek
Did you see it? Was that. Yeah, yeah. I mean, hard to describe, really. Have to mimic it. And I don't think I can because I'm just intrinsically athletic in every movement I make. So it's hard for me to mimic awkwardness, physical awkwardness. But, yeah, it was one of those ones where the guy threw the ball and I'm still whispering because I'm embarrassed for him. But everybody turned to each other and was like, oh, my God. Did you just see Blank throw the ball? Oh, my God. Is he. Did he grow up around people? Did he grow up around guys at all? It was, it was at the man show, no less. So it was especially uncomfortable.
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Guest Analyst
So my style sort of changes depending on what time of year it is. Once we get to the summer here in South Florida, it's unbearably hot. I really, I call it oppressively hot, which means I'm constantly sweating. And it changes how I get dressed because you got about 12 seconds before you start regretting your outfit choices. So lately I've really been trying to keep it a little more simple. Light, breathable, comfortable, but still looking put together, because that's what I care about. And that's why I keep going back to Quints. Their European linen shirts and pants are perfect for the summer, and they start at just 34 bucks. Their tees are soft, they're easy to wear. They've got lightweight cotton sweaters for the random nights where the AC is sort of freezing everywhere you go. And everything at Quint's is priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands because they work directly with ethical factories and cut out the middlemen. I picked up one of their European linen shirts in a sky blue color. I've actually even worn it on the show. And it's become one of those shirts that I keep reaching for without even thinking about it. So you should elevate your summer wardrobe and go to quince.com dan for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q U I n c e.com dan for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com dan summer always hits different once
Mike Ryan
a big game starts stacking up. Now you've got finals games on every other night, baseball's rolling all week, racing on the weekends, and suddenly everybody's looking for an excuse to get together. The Other night, a buddy texted me, we've got the game on. Come through. I figured I'd stop by for maybe an hour. That was optimistic. Next thing you know, everybody's locked into the game, and we're all part of the coaching staff. Somebody's yelling at the ref. Somebody else is suddenly an expert on pitch strategy, and nobody's even pretending they're leaving early anymore. It's one of those nights where you take a sip of Miller Lite, look around and realize, yeah, this is exactly what summer is supposed to be. That's why Miller Lite is always part of these nights for me. It's clean, refreshing, easy to drink when it's hot outside, and perfect for long nights hanging with friends, watching games. An all American summer starts with an all American beer, Miller lite. 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. It's Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.
Tony
Don LeBatard to US residents.
Zaza
Oh, wow. It's in there. It's better.
Tony
You think I haven't been practicing stugats.
Zaza
I didn't realize we had a substitute. Complicated legacy brought to you by headquarters.
Tony
Toyota 441 Power Line Road. Second down to nine.
Zaza
This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats. Tony, you're back.
Tony
We're back.
Mike Ryan
We got it working now.
Tony
Yeah, we got it working. We're gonna pull up our whiteboard here so we can do a little bit of coaching for Mike. So the issue was on a game winner here, right? We had a guy in the corner. Oh, no. Hold on a second. Roll it.
Dave D' Amshek
This isn't humiliating.
Tony
Okay, so we have. So we have our. We have our guy in the corner. I have the ball here at the top of the key.
Zaza
The X is normally the defense, but go ahead.
Tony
You can do whatever you want. That's fine.
Zaza
So weird defensive formation to be on the outside of the offensive player, but go ahead.
Chris
Looks like.
Zaza
No.
Mike Ryan
Also, I'm not. I'm man enough to admit I just learned that. I'm putting that in my notes.
Dan LeBatard
Yeah.
Mike Ryan
If you want to be.
Tony
If you want to be really nitpicky about it, sure, fine, whatever.
Chris
These are just stick figure guys.
Tony
Not the point. Not the point. So here's the issue, right? This is Mike right here. Mike is playing defense on a post defender. I've got the ball. Basically, it's the top of the key. And what I want to do is I want to work right this way because I know my guys come in a pick here. And then once, the moment that I have an open shot right here, I'm going up for the game winner because I had just hit 12 minutes before that. So the issue was that Mike did not travel with his guy to get on the other side of the screen. Right. So he stayed down low in no man's land at the free throw line and allowed me to shoot a shot. Mike, your rebuttal to that. Because you stayed in no man's land, you know, you got a shooter on your. You got to get over to be able to contest a shot, even if your guys.
Mike Ryan
But you're a skill player, Tony, you make the pass to the guy camping out right under the hoop.
Chris
Yep.
Dan LeBatard
I got to make a choice.
Tony
I did many times now.
Mike Ryan
I did a half measure. I should have just scrambled all the way. But yes, no, this was a teachable moment. And it was after that we went on an incredible run, didn't lose a game.
Tony
So yeah, so you just got to come up here and make sure that you seal so the shooter doesn't have that. Even if your guy's going to come around and you're worried about the shot here, your help side's got to be there.
Mike Ryan
Yeah, my help side wasn't there. My help side wasn't there. I was. I was aware enough to recognize that. And also you have to imagine I have the cardio of a 40 year old man that hadn't played basketball in 15 years. So all in all, though, prime Dennis Rodman is a good starting point for a guy that's, you know, playing out there with real hoopers guys. Tony, he's legit good. He's great. So much so that he is aware enough to know that next game he plays against me, he has to bang down inside because he has to adjust because I'm the X factor or the O factor. I don't know, Zaz, you tell me.
Zaza
The X is the defense. O is offense. You know, offense. Anyway, am I the only.
Dave D' Amshek
It sounds like a great time though. Zaza. Tony yelling at you, coaching everybody. No, you should be over here. And Mike Ryan go. I rebound good. And I'll check you 37ft from the rim because I'm an old man now and that's all I can do is defend you super hard. And. And boy, those are not the D. Glenn. Glenn out there making hay, raining threes down.
Zaza
Tony's drawing a place for the defense, confusing.
Tony
I didn't scream, not one time.
Mike Ryan
Tony doesn't yell. Tony doesn't yell. In the huddle, though. You could hear. Man, tattoos is killing us.
Zaza
Am I the only one who thinks that the finals are on the line tonight? And I, I, I never do this.
Mike Ryan
I don't think so anymore. Now that we've seen so many game sevens, one on the road, I think that they can adjust still. Like if a team is down two.
Zaza
Oh, I'm not saying the finals end tonight, but, but I, I do feel like it's on the line tonight.
Mike Ryan
Meaning what is the difference?
Zaza
Well, the difference is if the, if the Knicks win tonight, I think that, like, I think they're going to win the championship. If the Knicks win tonight, I think they have a chance of sweeping this series. If the spurs win tonight, we got a series.
Chris
So if the Knicks win tonight, you think they sweep, but it doesn't end tonight if the Knicks win.
Zaza
No, I am making that case. I. What are you confused about?
Chris
A minute ago you were just like, it can't end tonight.
Zaza
You lost me.
Mike Ryan
I lost you.
Zaza
Yeah, you lost.
Chris
You lost us.
Mike Ryan
Gaslighting.
Zaza
Does anyone else. I start. Okay, let me start again. Does anyone else feel like the series is on the line tonight? Because if the Knicks win.
Mike Ryan
I do not feel that way.
Zaza
Raise your hand please when you want to talk.
Mike Ryan
I do not feel that way because, you know, teams can win on the road now and you can adjust.
Zaza
I know teams can win on the road, but if the Knicks win tonight, I feel like they're not going to lose another game this series. If the Knicks win tonight, they'll have won 13 in a row. Rather unstoppable. Okay, all of those wins, except for one by double figures, they'll have won 13 in a row. They'll have won both games in San Antonio when we thought that San Antonio, Oklahoma City was for the NBA championship. And now the Knicks are coming back home. Like, if the Knicks. And they went. The Knicks will have won 13 in a row. And you think that the spurs are going to win four out of five. There's no chance. So that's what I'm saying. If New York wins tonight, they're going to win the championship. If San Antonio wins tonight, okay, we got ourselves a series. That's all I'm saying. That's what I'm saying.
Tony
It was well said.
Zaza
That's what I'm saying.
Dave D' Amshek
I'm with you, Zaz. And I am somebody who, and I refuse to look it up to verify what my sense Is which is that in the 21st century, home field, home court, home ice advantage is a mirage. I think we have talked ourselves into that being super important. I don't think it is. But in this case, to your point, as I think it is, if The spurs are down.02 and now, and I don't want to overstate it and swoon like Ben Stiller and all the rest of them up there, but going into MSG, the electricity in that joint for 22 year old kids, and keep in mind, that's what Wemby and Castle and those cats all are to go in there. It's too big a spot. I don't think I. What the hell is that? What the. What the. What the hell is that?
Zaza
Well, what's going on here?
Dave D' Amshek
You're demonizing me because. Because you want to be a prime. Rick Fox, Mike Ryan, I'm Ben Wallace. I rebound good and pick up basketball. I don't make any money for it. But. But Glenn respects my hard work.
Zaza
Dave has big, big horns and it looks like a weird looking beard. Oh, boy. And now. Yeah, that's a penis. Yeah, that's a penis. You got a penis on your face.
Dave D' Amshek
Oh, we are.
Zaza
Yep.
Dave D' Amshek
It seems like. It seems like some people down in Miami.
Mike Ryan
Guys, this is a zeppelin.
Zaza
He did not have together.
Mike Ryan
Good year.
Zaza
Oh, there. Oh, we were. Oh, it wasn't a penis. It's a blimp. Oh, everything's cockpit at the front. There you go.
Dave D' Amshek
Almost passed out from the baby.
Zaza
Let me, let me, let me.
Dave D' Amshek
Accurate.
Zaza
Let me make clear here while if the Knicks win tonight, and I think they can. I don't think they will. If the Knicks win tonight, they're going to sweep this series. I think the spurs are going to win tonight. And you know what? I'm man enough to admit that I was wrong. And the point that I'm making is when we had Nick Wright on a couple days ago and I challenged him, I, you know, I asked him about it where Nick felt that it was going to be a thing, that the spurs are gonna be like emotionally drained because of what happened against Oklahoma City. And I said, nah, I think that's nonsense. I don't know, maybe there is a little bit of. We come out in game number one. You just came off this massive, emotionally draining series when Yama. It means so much to him. He's crying at the end of the series, which I like. I don't think there's a problem with that. But maybe you do come out in game number one and maybe there Was a little bit of an emotional letdown. Like, I pushed back on that with Nick, but I don't know, maybe. What, Why'd you write that?
Dave D' Amshek
That's undermining.
Zaza
Maybe there is something to that.
Tony
You're making a good point. I couldn't tell because you said it. Said you were a cuck on the screen, but you were making good points. But the point being, when you look at there's a stat that's been floating around, it's like teams that come off a game seven versus teams that come off a sweep. The team that comes off the sweep is usually way better.
Zaza
Well, the Knicks are three. And, oh, now this playoff in that scenario, right?
Tony
So it's like you're looking at the, the evidence of. All right, these guys have been rested. These guys have been playing great basketball. These guys just came through a war of attrition with another team that was defending champions. And like, I, I don't know, but everything I see, everything I see, like, prime Dennis Rodman next to me is the Knicks playing together and playing rested and the spurs kind of playing a little bit too fast.
Zaza
Yeah, I, I, I, I think San Antonio is going to win tonight, and I think we're gonna see that. Yeah, Game one was a little bit of because, you know, when Banyama had the low energy to start the game, and they've been the reason I pushed back again. So. Oh, you know, maybe he's tired. Like, we felt that after game, what, like game five, last series, who's awesome in game six, awesome in game seven, they won them both. There have been a couple instances this playoff where, ooh, is Wembanyama tiring? And then the next game he comes out and he's gangbusters. And I think, I think we're gonna wind up seeing that tonight. I think Gwenpanyama is going to be really great. I, I do think, though, the unfortunate part of game one, you know, the NBA finals are going to attract casual fans, right? Casual fans are just going to tune in and it's like, oh, it's the finals. Let's watch. Oh, I've been hearing a lot about this. It A, it's a New York team. B, I've been hearing a lot about this Wembanyama. He's an alien, right? People definitely watched game one, and we're like, why aren't we talking about that guy? Call Anthony Townes. Like, he's better than Wembanyama, right? Like, you're getting casual fans who are watching these teams essentially for the first time, who Think Towns is definitely a lot better than Wembanyama.
Guest Analyst
Tonight's the big one.
Dave D' Amshek
Right.
Guest Analyst
Because the adjustment that Wemby makes against Katt and others, it's not just him, it's Mitch Johnson. It's like, what can you do to help get this guy going alongside everybody else? Because, yes, there are some things that Wemby will have to do from a. A physicality standpoint in terms of just making shots. But realistically, like, there was a lot done to him and done to that team and they still had a chance to win with a couple of minutes left.
Zaza
Yes. Like, the spurs were bad. We could all admit bad. They were bad, bad. In game one. They were up by 14 in the third quarter.
Guest Analyst
They were up by 14 in and third quarter. They were up with two minutes to go.
Zaza
Yes.
Guest Analyst
After being down by eight just a couple of minutes earlier, they made the comeback first.
Zaza
And. And like we're having this whole discussion yesterday about how the Knicks were terrible. The Knicks were terrible and they still won game one on the road in the finals. And I feel like you can make the exact same case about San Antonio. San Antonio was terrible in Game one. They're not going to be worse than they were there. Wembanyama is likely not going to be worse than he was there. And they still. It's not like Wembanyama was great in three quarters. Then he was bad in the fourth quarter. He was not good the whole game. And they were up by 14 in the third quarter.
Guest Analyst
And it was only when they took Wemby out, by the way, that the Knicks went on that run. Like San Antonio dominated at the beginning of the game, which is something that they do often. The Knicks came out a little bit rusty. San Antonio's taken leads throughout. I mean, in that Thunder series, it felt like they got off to a good start. In every single game, it was whether or not the Thunder came back. And now what you have going into the second half is okay. If you take that lead again, Mitch Johnson, what are you going to do in terms of what your lineups look like in those cornet minutes to make sure that New York doesn't come back and start to get going? Not just because they get back into the game, but it was the first time their offense looked competent at all in that game. And Josh Hart started making his impact. So, you know, what do you do about Jason Hart? I don't know.
Tony
The one thing you got to do is give Mike Brown credit. I think that they. He. He game planned in the middle of the Game so perfectly where anytime Wemby was out on the floor, he would give Jalen Brunson a bit of a blow beforehand and then get him in when Wemby wasn't there so he could attack the rim in a way that he can't do when Wemby is there. So I was surprised. I was like, oh, wow, they're really playing the matchups well, where anytime Wemby's off the floor, Brunson's able to create offense for himself in a way that he wasn't when he's there.
Zaza
Do you care about the referees for game two tonight? Now, we already had Scott Foster do game number one. He's the extender. All right, But. But that was, you know, there's nothing to extend in game one. All right, but that could mean that we're gonna see him again later on in the series if you got game number one. What if I told you that the crew chief tonight, Tony Brothers, because, yes, that'd been weird if, like I said that, but he was.
Tony
Yeah. If it was somebody else.
Zaza
Yeah, he is. Yeah. That wasn't a fake out. He is the crew chief tonight.
Tony
I'm not too worried. I'm not too worried about it. I thought Wemby got a lot of calls. He kind of usually does. He's getting. Getting the superstar treatment at 13 free throws.
Zaza
Yeah.
Tony
So it's like, can Wemby be aggressive enough to warrant that amount of free throws or is he going to play a passive game from the outside? I think that's the issue.
Dan LeBatard
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Mike Ryan
Tony, you know that moment at a party or at a tailgate where everything just sort of clicks?
Tony
I know it well. It's usually when I show up, everybody goes crazy.
Mike Ryan
Yeah. You usually take all the credit for it, but it's because Tony usually walks in with Cuervo.
Tony
Walking like this.
Mike Ryan
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Cuervo is a thing that turns hanging out into this is the night.
Tony
It has that effect on people.
Mike Ryan
It does. You usually take the credit for it. But again, it's the Cuervo effect. It's like that moment in a big game where everyone in the crowd just starts standing up, hootin and hollering.
Zaza
Keep it Cuervo.
Tony
Keep it Cuervo, baby.
Mike Ryan
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Zaza
No one else here is willing to do a Trump or a Biden.
Tony
That's not true, Dan.
Zaza
Okay, Tony.
Tony
You can catch a thousand impersonations.
Zaza
That's not bad, man.
Mike Ryan
Finally.
Zaza
Pretty good.
Mike Ryan
Stugach.
Tony
Yours is terrible.
Zaza
You just gotta get a little redder, a little pinker.
Tony
You're right there, man.
Zaza
Yours is not that. You're biting me.
Mike Ryan
What do you Mean, oh, his is good.
Zaza
That's actually not bad.
Tony
Not terrible.
Zaza
That's not terrible. We gotta come together
Dave D' Amshek
a little George
Mike Ryan
Bush in that one.
Zaza
This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats.
Dave D' Amshek
Foreign. 15 years, by the way. Just as a side note with Wemby's behavior at the foul line, if. Come on, let's. Let's pace it up, fella. You know, the next decade and a half, we ain't got the time for you to take nine seconds every single free throw in the here and now, though I'm one fascinated by the analysis around, as you say, with the casual fans and so much of the conversation around the spurs is Wemby is just one guy and who, you know, he's just the whole team. As though the other guys, you just don't know who they are yet. The idea that Harper and. And otherwise aren't going to play themselves into our lives.
Zaza
You just bailed on the rest of the teammates there. You just said, forget it. Just bailed on them. Harper and the rest of the guys.
Dave D' Amshek
I was going to start. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't like listing guys off. Then that's all you're doing is reading a roster.
Zaza
Yeah.
Dave D' Amshek
I do, though wonder we have assumed or I have been a part of perpetuating the idea if they get this one, the spurs, it's going to be potentially like the next three or five. But now I do wonder, let's say the Knickerbockers do get this one. Are we definitely sure that the spurs are bound for Dynasty at this point, given the rules, the second apron and everything else? I mean, we talked to Michelle Beetle a month ago and said how many will be a satiating number of titles in the Wemby area? And she said. Did she say four?
Zaza
Did she say four? She expects four.
Dave D' Amshek
I mean, you know, they're not going to be keeping all those cats. Right.
Zaza
It's. It's a good question. It's normally a debate that I don't like having because the way the pendulum swings in these NBA playoff series. Like, we're talking right now, I'm talking right now like the Knicks, even though I picked the spurs to win the series, we're talking right now like the Knicks have a chance of sweeping the series. But if the spurs come out and they win tonight, which I expect them to, we're then going to get back to, yeah, this series is going to go exactly how we all thought it would, which is it's a long series. It's going to be A classic series. It's probably going to go seven and either team can win. So, like, we now have the. If the Knicks win the series or the Knicks sweep the series, are we sure that the spurs are going to be this dynasty that we've all been talking about? I think it's a good question, but we could totally be feeling a completely different way by the end of tonight where the spurs win or like, yeah, this is expected and the spurs are still.
Dave D' Amshek
Well, here's the scenario for you. Knicks win this one, then OKC trades for Giannis, then they become the favorite to come out of the west. And now we're getting down the road of the spurs, who are an inevitable dynasty, not having even won a title yet.
Zaza
Why, why aren't we talking about can the Knicks be a dynasty?
Dave D' Amshek
Well, a fair point. Yeah.
Mike Ryan
They're on pace to win their third trophy just this season.
Zaza
Come on.
Mike Ryan
Yeah, that's a trouble winner, folks.
Dave D' Amshek
X and O it for us. Tony.
Zaza
Tony or oh, and exit. Tony, I am going to come to you now. It is your time to shine. Do you have a top five for us for tonight's game?
Tony
Top five things to look forward to in tonight's game, boys.
Zaza
All right, all right, all right.
Tony
Number five. No Oli. What can the spurs do about their bench? Obviously, Dylan Harper has been playing decent minutes. Played 28 minutes last game. Got to play probably in the mid 30s if the spurs really want a chance to win. But nobody else on their bench gave them anything. 6 Man of the year like you said, Zaz Kelton Johnson better than Jaime Hawkins Jr. Didn't show much better. Didn't show it yesterday or a couple days ago. So they need something from their bench because Harper's going to play a lot more minutes, I think probably at the cost of Dear and Fox.
Zaza
Got to get a little something from Cornette. You got to get something from the offensively, defensively. You got to get some for Cornette.
Tony
Spurs bench needs to come up in this game big if they want to win. Okay, Number four, Kat needs to stay aggressive. Don't just stay back there and fall in love with the three ball. Wemby can't guard you. You're too big, you're too fast. Get around them, pin your ears down, get downhill on Wemby, create foul trouble for him. Like that's the recipe for cats staying aggressive, going to the hoop.
Zaza
I don't think we're going to see Wembanyama on Karl Anthony Towns very much to night. It's a disaster for San Antonio And I like Karl Anthony Towns. I'm just going to say that I know Carl Anthony Towns is someone who gets a lot of shit from the Knicks fan. The Knicks fan was trying to trade him after they were trailing two games to one to Atlanta. Karl Anthony Towns has done nothing but win over the last few years. The last three consecutive seasons last year in New York, the previous two at Minnesota. He's in the conference finals every year and now this year he's in the NBA Finals. I don't appreciate the things that you're drawing on the screen, but I am a fan of Karl Anthony Towns. If the Knicks win, I am going to be happy for him.
Tony
The Knicks need to win the two big lineup. When you put Mitchell Robinson in there, you need to be able to overcome his offensive limitations. But if he can grab offensive boards at the clip that he usually does and how he has grabbed them against the spurs like Mike Ryan passed like Mike Ryan. If you had Mike Ryan in there in the two big lineup with him and Cat, he'd be grabbing boards like a mofo. So they need to win the two big. The two big lineup.
Zaza
Chris, what are you all excited about over there?
Chris
Just, you know, living life. I did go 80 and 2 and 82. 0.
Tony
So you're doing that while doing the show?
Chris
Well, I'm just, you know, I'm Two Bird situation, is it? Yes, I did go.
Zaza
I mean, everything went around during the same time.
Chris
Ever since Dan went 82. 0. I just have been addicted to this game and I haven't come close until I just went 80 and 2.
Zaza
You saw that yesterday, right, Dave, for the very first time, we had dan play 82. 0. We did it live on the air. We, we, we use the, the screen for the game so everyone could see us playing alive. And Dan went 82 and oh, first try.
Dave D' Amshek
I think, listen, in this cynical world we live in, every once in a while you got to remind people who you are. And I thought that was a masterful moment there. Now, now some people Questions about Dan LeBatard's right to weigh in on whatever he wants in the world of sports for at least the next decade.
Zaza
Now, some people thought it was rigged. That that was so. And that's why I said yesterday was, is there any way that people would think that we rigged it? Why would anyone say it was rigged like we, we did it live on the air? Yeah, it was absolutely. Now if you want to say, you know, you shouldn't be allowed to use the, the re spins, you know, team era, you shouldn't be doing classic mode, where if you're using the stats, I
Tony
saw a lot of. Why don't you use iq? Because it's Dan, and he'll bail on the bit in two seconds if he sees.
Zaza
Right, right. Okay.
Chris
I just had Bob Pettit on one of my teams.
Tony
Rest in peace, by the way.
Zaza
Dave, do you want to. Have you played 82? No.
Dave D' Amshek
Yet I haven't. I've been consumed by Geosports. Are you familiar with that?
Zaza
No. What's that question? What's that?
Dave D' Amshek
Well, it's. Listen, it's. It's all the rage as well. Amidst this 82. 0. It's five questions daily that you get, and basically you have to put a marker down there you go on the big blue marble to ID the location that he's calling for in a sports related question. It's fun. Let's do it as a gang right now, shall we?
Zaza
All right. All right, sure. Do you want to. Do want to lead us along here, Dave? Because I don't know the game.
Dave D' Amshek
I can't read it. The words are too small. Go ahead, Tashay. Did you type this one out there with the tiny words so no one could read them? What does it say? What's the question?
Chris
What say you, Tasha?
Zaza
The question. I'm being told it's very small, but it's. ESPN has been broadcasting from its headquarters since 1989, and it's essentially asking, where is ESPN broadcast headquarters?
Dave D' Amshek
Oh, Zaz, this is your wheelhouse. You should be able to put that within a couple of miles.
Tony
It's.
Dave D' Amshek
Well, it's Bristol.
Zaza
Oh, so it's Bristol, Connecticut, but I have to actually use the mouse and point to it.
Dave D' Amshek
Yeah, you, you.
Tony
I can find it. Zoom in. I got it.
Dave D' Amshek
Zoom in.
Tony
Connecticut.
Zaza
I live. I live. I got no idea.
Dave D' Amshek
You got it?
Tony
I got it. Zoom in. Zoom in on Connecticut. It's.
Zaza
Well, how do you know that that's Connecticut?
Tony
Because. What do you mean?
Dave D' Amshek
Because I live already.
Tony
I live there. I know, exactly.
Zaza
Hold on a second, Mike. Why you look at me like that? If I give you a map, you know which one's Connecticut?
Tony
Yeah.
Zaza
I don't have a clue. Seriously, There are so many small little states. You don't know what state is? Which state?
Dave D' Amshek
You couldn't write in the name of every state?
Zaza
Not in the Northeast. No, I have no idea which one's Connecticut. New York. New Jersey.
Dave D' Amshek
Yeah.
Tony
No idea what New York is.
Zaza
I have. I know the vicinity.
Mike Ryan
It does get a little dicey when you get to New Hampshire.
Zaza
I Have no idea what. What any of those states. I have no idea what.
Chris
You know that little one?
Zaza
You know the little one? Rhode Island. Yeah, but where is it? I don't know where it is.
Dan LeBatard
To the right, next to Connecticut.
Zaza
Like, I'm going to New York tonight. I know I'm going to a general vicinity in the northeast of the United States. I don't know exactly where we're. Scratton. I don't know any of this further
Tony
down to the west. All right, so if you zoom in on Connecticut, New Havens on the bottom, which is why you can take the m. The. The train over to New York City. So you had to go a little bit north and a little bit west.
Zaza
All right.
Tony
If you don't zoom in on it, I can't show you because we're in the Rocky Mountains right now, so.
Zaza
All right, try it again. Tell them again.
Tony
Number two, besides Christmas, it's pace for the Knicks. That's how you slow down Wemby. Just continue to push the pace. Run, run, run. Get in transition. Quick baskets. If the ball goes through the hoop, you push through. That's the physicality. Yes, we'll wear on him, but running him up and down is what really gets Wemby tired, according to Jeremy Sohan.
Zaza
So, Dave, you play this game every day?
Dave D' Amshek
Yeah, pretty much. Yeah. It's only. It's been around for only a couple of weeks now.
Zaza
The next question is, Ashton Genty rushed for X amount of yards from this place. Do you know where that.
Dave D' Amshek
Yeah, we should all be able to know. That one with the blue turf. I don't know exactly, though. Where in the state of Idaho. The Capitol.
Zaza
You.
Mike Ryan
You.
Zaza
If I gave you this map, you know which one, which state is Idaho?
Dave D' Amshek
Of course, we all do. I'm not trying to be. I'm not trying to be an ass, but come on. And we all know what Idaho is, right?
Zaza
I have no idea which one of those again. I know around what part of the country Idaho might be in, but I, I don't know which one's Idaho.
Dave D' Amshek
So they weren't doing. They weren't doing floor hockey and they weren't doing geography. What the hell was going on in Florida's public schools?
Zaza
Let me ask you something. Why do I need to know?
Tony
Good point. You ever going to go to Idaho?
Zaza
I've gotten this far. Why do I need to know?
Dave D' Amshek
But listen, why. Don't. Don't dance for the man. Don't, don't. Don't be a cuck for the man. Please. That. Listen this jive about what we need to know what he decided we needed to know. Math is the great place to evaluate this.
Zaza
Yeah. Yeah.
Dave D' Amshek
We need to know how to add, we need to know how to subtract. I can make a case that the multiplication tables make life a little bit easier for you as a grown up. Going forward. Up to 10, up to 12. You should be able to. To do your. Your long division. I don't know how much I've really used a lot of long division as a grown up after that. What the hell are we doing? Who needs algebra? Who need. Who needs any of that crap just hours of my life flush down the toilet because the man decided I needed to know that crap. Geography, where you're going. Now that's useful stuff.
Tony
I like this guy. Number one, Jalen Brunson versus Area 51. Now, for some of you, for some of you people that don't know Area 51, that's what they call Wemby and Stefan Castle. Area 51. The aliens.
Zaza
Ah. Skip Bayless redubbed him though. The earthling.
Tony
I know this is prior to me.
Zaza
Might catch on. I don't know.
Tony
Yeah. So Jalen Brunson did great against Julian Champagne, did great against Devin Vassell. But against guys not named those two names, he was not very good. So I want to see how he's going to react to Stefan Castle guarding him, to Fox, to Wemby in the paint, all those guys. That's going to be the key for tonight.
This hour of the show delivers a signature blend of sports banter, irreverent humor, and detailed discussion, centering primarily around the NBA Finals matchup between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. Along the way, the crew reminisces about their own sporting exploits, pokes fun at each other’s skills (or lack thereof), and debates which game factors will be most crucial in Game 2. The hour culminates with Tony’s “Top 5 Things To Look Forward To In Tonight’s Game.” Throughout, there's the usual blend of self-deprecation, good-natured roasting, and sharp basketball analysis.
Timestamps: 02:00–11:00
Regional PE Sports: Dave Dameshek expresses surprise that Zaza never played street hockey—a staple in Dave’s Pittsburgh youth—but learns that Florida PE leaned toward basketball, football, and unique local games like “burn ball” (throwing a racquetball at a wall), four square, and dodgeball.
Pickup Basketball Adventures: Mike Ryan and Tony recount their return to organized pickup basketball.
Injuries & Aging Fears: The group jokes about the ever-looming fear of tearing an Achilles tendon or sustaining a serious injury in middle-aged pickup games.
Timestamps: 16:44–19:25, 43:44–44:33
Timestamps: 19:38–29:16
Timestamps: 26:36–29:16
Timestamps: 33:44–35:44
Timestamps: 35:53–44:33
Memorable Structured Segment
Spurs’ Bench Must Step Up
Karl-Anthony Towns’ Aggressiveness
Knicks’ Two Big Lineup
Pace and Transition Play
Jalen Brunson vs. ‘Area 51’ (Wemby & Stefan Castle)
New listeners will find this episode a solid window into the blend of analytical depth and levity that defines the Le Batard universe—where the NBA Finals are given their due, but no one takes themselves too seriously, and every conversation could become a trivia contest, therapy session, or roast at a moment’s notice.